The Assam government will constitute 13 state-level sectoral councils to strengthen decentralised, citizen-centric governance, with an emphasis on grassroots leadership and public participation.
The Cabinet approved the proposal on November 3 under its vision of “Viksit Assam”, an official statement said.
The advisory bodies will function under the Transformation and Development Department. They will monitor welfare schemes, identify shortcomings in service delivery and convey public feedback to policymakers.
Each council will have a chairperson with the protocol status of a minister of state, a vice-chairperson and seven non-official members. MLAs will be eligible to serve as chairpersons. Preference will be given to social workers, public representatives and experienced individuals above 25 years of age.
The councils will cover rural livelihoods, health and wellness, educational entitlements, social security, public housing, drinking water, power supply, employment, cultural affairs and happiness, sports, health and education in tea garden areas, food security and procurement, and financial assistance and direct benefit transfers.
The government said the structure was intended to ensure implementation of welfare measures. It said contact between council members and residents could expose shortcomings that might otherwise escape attention.
Each council will meet at least once every three months.
