Assam Cabinet Exempts Hydrocarbon Exploration from Land Reclassification, Approves Major Development Projects

The Assam Cabinet has exempted hydrocarbon exploration and production activities from the 2015 land reclassification law to ease land acquisition for projects by companies like OIL and ONGC. Firms can now directly purchase or lease land from owners, with an online portal to facilitate applications and payments.

Additionally, the Cabinet approved a Rs 357 crore expansion of Assam Medical College, designated drought as a state disaster for compensation under SDRF, and allotted 150 bighas for the National University for Disability Studies at Deochar. Land near Sarusajai Stadium was leased to Medanta for an Rs 800 crore healthcare project including a women and child hospital and a five-star hotel. The Cabinet also approved land settlements with waived premiums for eviction-affected residents in North Lakhimpur.