Guwahati: Assam raises the age limit for ex-servicemen seeking Grade III and Grade IV govt jobs to 45.The cabinet on Monday approved increasing the upper age limit for availing of the 2% reservation in Grade III and Grade IV posts from 42 to 45 years.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the decision would address the problem faced by armed forces personnel who generally retire around 42. Under the existing provision, those unable to secure a govt job in the year of retirement would lose the opportunity to use the reservation.“A few days ago, when I visited the Assam Regimental centre in Shillong, they also requested that the age limit be increased to 45 years so that Assamese boys and girls serving in the army could benefit. The Cabinet has approved this measure,” Sarma said.The cabinet also approved the third edition of Khel Maharan — ‘Shishu Krida Samaroh’ — to be held across all 35 districts this year. The programme will focus on grassroots participation and early identification of talent among under-12 athletes.“After identifying the talent, this year we will provide scholarships of Rs 2000 per month for two years to the 120 identified child athletes and make efforts to facilitate their training at good centres. We will organise the competition at the district level to identify talent,” Sarma added.The cabinet approved the Assam Green Cess Policy, 2026, which proposes a cess on sectors including stone-crushing units, brick kilns, imported timber, pollution-indexed industries, transfers of pre-owned vehicle ownership and commercial groundwater extraction.“Revenue from the cess will be used for environmental and infrastructure measures, including embankment repairs and solar power projects, utilising the funds for a sustainable ecosystem,” he added.The cabinet reduced the qualifying service for promotion from computer operator to junior administrative assistant in the Assam secretariat from four years to three for employees appointed on May 25, 2023.
