Assam Government Waives Stamp Duty for SHG Loans up to Rs 10 Lakh

In a move aimed at easing credit costs for rural entrepreneurs, the Assam cabinet met in Guwahati on Saturday and decided to waive stamp duty on loan documents filed by members of Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) under the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ASRLM). The relief applies to loans of up to Rs 10 lakh drawn from scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks, cooperative banks or any other RBI‑regulated financial institution.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who chaired the meeting, explained that the waiver will help “livelihood and enterprise” borrowers save on ancillary charges, thereby making small‑scale financing more affordable.

Alongside the stamp‑duty decision, the cabinet also gave the green light to the Assam Ayurvedic Health Services Rules, 2026. The new rules will govern recruitment, posting and service conditions for Ayurvedic medical officers attached to the state’s Ayurvedic Health Service, falling under the Health and Family Welfare Department.

In a separate agenda item, the state cleared a procurement plan for Masur dal and sugar for the October 2026‑March 2027 window. The tenders will be floated by NAFED, which will determine rates based on prevailing open‑market prices.

Another noteworthy amendment mandates compulsory registration of a wide range of property‑related agreements – from sale deeds and development contracts to short‑term leases, equitable mortgages and partnership deeds involving immovable assets. The move is intended to improve transparency and protect owners’ rights.

Education reforms also featured in the discussions. The cabinet approved an amendment to the “Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges of Assam (Regulation of Admission into 1st year MBBS/BDS courses) Rules, 2017.” The tweak adds one extra seat for each of the Moran, Matak, Tai‑Ahom, Chutia and Koch‑Rajbongshi communities. Additionally, two MBBS seats have been earmarked specifically for domiciled orphan candidates, to be adjusted against their community‑wise quotas.

To aid residents who completed schooling outside the state but wish to claim the Assam state quota, a standardized certificate format issued by the District Commissioner – vetted by the Advocate General – was also approved.

All these decisions were announced by the chief minister after the cabinet’s deliberations, signaling a broader push to streamline services, boost rural credit and fine‑tune admission policies in the state.