In a landmark decision aimed at preserving the unique identity of vulnerable communities, the Assam government announced on Thursday that tribals, tea tribes, Morans, and Motoks will be exempt from the two-child policy for government employment. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, addressing a press conference after chairing the state cabinet meeting, said the exemption was crucial to prevent gradual extinction of these communities. “If we stick to the policy, these populations will lose their distinct identities and gradually become extinct in the next 50 years,” Sarma said. He noted that the Moran community alone numbers just around one lakh, highlighting the need for policy flexibility for micro communities.
While the two-child norm, implemented in January 2021 under the Assam Public Services Rules, 2019, will continue for other groups, the CM clarified that specific state welfare benefits will also gradually apply the policy—but the indigenous groups will remain exempt to ensure their survival. On other key cabinet decisions, Sarma stated that the Tiwari Commission Report on the 1983 Nellie massacre will be tabled in the upcoming assembly session in November after verification through official interviews and forensic checks.
The government also announced plans to amend the Land Ceiling Act to distribute nearly 2.9 lakh bighas (around 96,000 acres) of land among four lakh tea tribe families, describing it as a major social development initiative. Additionally, the cabinet approved an increase in the project cost of Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd’s Methanol and Formalin units from Rs 1,709.18 crore to Rs 2,267.22 crore, including additional state equity.