Guwahati: Assam cabinet on Tuesday recommended a CBI probe into floods in Sivasagar and Charaideo and approved a defence park, service-rule changes and five ropeway projects.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the probe would examine the root causes of floods that began in the two districts around July 19.“State govt will send a formal request letter to the CBI within the next 10 days. However, the decision to accept the recommendation and conduct the investigation rests with the Centre and the CBI,” he added.Polygamy to invite dismissalFollowing notification of the Uniform Civil Code and presidential assent, the cabinet amended the Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. Govt employees found guilty of entering into a polygamous marriage will face dismissal. Govt will treat it as major misconduct, Sarma said.Defence manufacturing park in JagiroadThe cabinet approved a defence manufacturing and production park at Jagiroad, spread over about 2,000 acres. The land will be transferred to the industries department. Some private land may be acquired after discussions with landowners.“The initiative aims to attract investments in defence manufacturing and enable Assam to benefit from India’s expanding defence production sector. The state plans to organise roadshows to attract anchor investors capable of manufacturing various defence products,” Sarma said.Five ropeway projects approvedThe cabinet approved a joint venture company, Ropeway Development Authority, with the Centre to develop five projects under the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model. The Centre will hold 51% equity and Assam 49%.The projects are Kamakhya railway station-Kamakhya Temple, Khanapara-Guwahati railway station, Ganganagar-Bhuvan Pahar Mahadev Temple, Hampiopet Peak-Jatinga Bird Watching Tower and Agnigarh-Bhairabi Temple. Private agencies will execute them with govt support through viability-gap funding. User charges will be fixed by the Centre and state.
