Assam Cabinet approves Gaja Mitra Scheme to tackle human-elephant conflict

Assam Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has approved several decisions aimed at addressing human-elephant conflicts, improving healthcare regulations, and enhancing welfare schemes for students and traditional workers.

To address the growing issue of human-elephant conflict, the government will launch the Gaja Mitra Scheme in eight high-risk districts. As part of the initiative, community-based rapid response teams, each with eight local members, will be deployed in 80 conflict-prone villages. These teams will operate during peak conflict months, particularly around the paddy cultivation season, to ensure safe elephant movement and



protect local livelihoods. 

The Assam cabinet has also approved the proposal to enhance the remuneration of village heads from Rs 9,000 per month to Rs 14,000 per month with effect from October 1 this year. In a separate development, a new Standard Operating Procedure now requires private hospitals to release deceased patients’ bodies within two hours of death certification. Hospitals failing to comply will face penalties for delays. Meanwhile, under the Prerona Aasoni scheme, all Class 10 students appearing for the 2026 HSLC exams will receive a monthly allowance of 300 rupees through direct benefit transfer.