The Himanta Biswa Sarma led Assam Government announced a Voluntary Retirement Scheme or VRS for 612 employees of the troubled Assam State Agricultural Marketing Board-ASAMB and provided a one-time settlement for 147 contingency and fixed pay staff.
This significant downsizing decision was made during a Cabinet meeting, as revealed by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in a post on X.
The statement emphasised the government’s aim to streamline workforce utilisation within its service sector, stating, “The Cabinet has approved a financial settlement scheme for ASAMB employees.”
ASAMB employees have faced prolonged periods without salaries, leading to repeated protests demanding their dues.
The Cabinet’s resolution includes offering VRS to 612 regular ASAMB employees and providing one-time settlement/gratuity payments to 147 contingency and fixed pay staff.
To further support the affected employees, the government will add an extra 10 per cent to the settlement packages. The entire downsizing initiative will cost Rs 154 crore, which will be funded by the State Government.
The Cabinet has also devised different formulas for settlements, considering the employees’ years of service.
In addition, the government will provide 180 days of Child Adoption Leave for female employees, ensuring proper care for children under one year of age.
Furthermore, the ‘Apon Ghar’ scheme, allowing government employees to purchase homes, will be extended until March 2026. The loan limit will be increased from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh, with an interest subvention of 1 per cent. The scheme has already benefitted 37,277 State employees with Rs 596 crore in interest subventions.
Moreover, the Cabinet has approved the Assam Transportation of Merchandise Goods in Stage Carriage and Contract Carriage Buses Scheme, 2024, to facilitate the smooth movement of e-commerce goods.
