Assam Cabinet approves stamp duty waiver for SHG loans up to Rs 10 lakh
Guwahati, July 26
The Assam government on Saturday approved the waiver of stamp duty on individual loan documents executed by Self-Help Group members under the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission for loans up to Rs 10 lakh.
The decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting held in Guwahati under the chairmanship of Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Announcing the cabinet decisions, CM Sarma said, "The state cabinet has approved the waiver of stamp duty on individual loan documents executed by Self-Help Group (SHG) members under Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM) for loans up to Rs 10 lakh obtained from Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Cooperative Banks or other Financial Institutions regulated by the Reserve Bank of India for livelihood and enterprise purposes."
"The State Cabinet has approved the Assam Ayurvedic Health Services Rules, 2026. The Service Rules shall regulate the recruitment and the service conditions of the services of the Medical Officers (AYURVEDA) appointed to the Assam Ayurvedic Health Service under the Health and Family Welfare Department. The State Cabinet has approved the mode of procurement for Masur Dal and Sugar for the period from October 2026 to March 2027, with procurement to be undertaken through NAFED, which will float the tender and discover the rates for supply of Masur Dal and Sugar on the basis of open market rates," the Chief Minister said.
The State Cabinet has also approved the compulsory registration of agreements for sale, development agreements, property-related powers of attorney, short-term leases, equitable mortgages, sale certificates, bank guarantees, conveyance through merger/demerger and partnerships involving immovable property.
In a significant move for the education sector, the Assam Chief Minister further said that the State Cabinet has approved the amendment of "The Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges of Assam, (Regulation of Admission into 1st year MBBS/BDS courses) Rules, 2017 (as amended), that includes revised allocation of seats to Moran, Matak, Tai Ahom, Chutia and Koch Rajbongshi communities as an increase of one seat against each community."
Furthermore, the government has reserved two MBBS seats specifically for domiciled orphan candidates, which will be adjusted against their respective social category seats.
To facilitate state quota claims for permanent residents who completed their schooling outside Assam, the Cabinet formalised a District Commissioner-issued certificate format vetted by the Advocate General.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally some relief for rural women! These SHGs are the backbone of self-employment in villages. But why only up to ₹10 lakh? Many groups require bigger loans for dairy farming or weaving units. Hope this limit is reviewed in future.
Good decision, but I'm more interested in the MBBS seat reservation for orphan candidates. That's a truly compassionate move. Many orphan kids in Assam struggle to get higher education. Two seats may seem small, but it's a start. Hope other states follow this example.
The compulsory registration of sale agreements and property-related documents is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it will reduce property disputes. On the other, it adds more paperwork and costs for common people. Let's hope the process is streamlined and not too cumbersome for villagers.
These cabinet decisions show a focus on both rural empowerment and administrative reform. The Ayurvedic Health Service rules are also welcome – we need more qualified Ayurvedic doctors in the state. But implementation is key. Let's see how these translate on ground. 🤞
As someone working in rural development, I find the SHG stamp duty waiver very meaningful. It directly reduces the cost of borrowing for women entrepreneurs. The government should also ensure banks don't charge extra fees to compensate for the waiver. Overall, a positive step.
P We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.