The Assam government has decided to rename Karimganj district in the Barak Valley as Sribhumi, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Tuesday. The decision was made during a state cabinet meeting in Guwahati.
“Over 100 years ago, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore had described modern-day Karimganj district as Sribhumi – the land of Maa Lakshmi. Today, the Assam cabinet has fulfilled this long-standing demand of our people,” Sarma said at a press conference.
He explained that renaming the district as Sribhumi would honour its cultural heritage and reflect the aspirations of its residents.
The chief minister added, “We will continue to change names that do not have any dictionary reference or any other historical evidence. We have been doing this for a long time, and it is a continuous process.”
The cabinet also approved a host of measures spanning electoral preparations, infrastructure investment, agroforestry, and urban reforms.
The voter list for the panchayat elections will be published by December, allowing the polls to conclude by February 10 next year.
Sarma elaborated that the Assam Panchayat (Constitution) Rules, 1995, would be amended to align the panchayat electoral roll with the assembly electoral roll.
A high-profile investment and infrastructure summit has been scheduled for February 24, 2025, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi invited to inaugurate the event.
Roadshows will be organised across major Indian cities and abroad to attract participants, Sarma revealed.
The Assam Agroforestry Policy, 2024, was another significant decision made during the cabinet meeting.
According to a cabinet communique shared by the chief minister, the policy aims to bolster forest cover and integrate agroforestry into the agricultural ecosystem to combat climate change, increase farmers' income, and strengthen the rural economy.
The cabinet approved amendments to the Assam Unified Building Construction (Regulation) Byelaws, 2022, to promote sustainable urban planning.
The amendments will optimise land use, transportation, and urban development mechanisms for healthier and more liveable cities.
Additionally, 94 projects worth over ₹70 crore were sanctioned in the soil conservation and agriculture sector.
The Assam State Space Application Centre (ASSAC) was designated as the nodal agency for remote sensing, GPS, and drone-based surveys.
As part of the PM Gati Shakti initiative, ASSAC will now handle data-sharing and quality standards for geospatial data, collaborating with ISRO, NESAC, and other stakeholders.
“This setup will enable ASSAC to liaise more effectively with state and national scientific agencies,” the communique noted.
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