Mon Sep 22 03:51:34 UTC 2025: **Summary of the Text:**

The article reports on decisions made by the Assam State Cabinet on September 21, 2025. Key decisions include: approving the establishment of a new Assam Police battalion at Sonapure near Guwahati at a cost of ₹260 crore; approving a 20% bonus for Assam Tea Corporation workers for Durga Puja; clearing the use of both English and Assamese for the Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination question papers (except for English comprehension); entrusting the operation of the ‘Jyoti Bishnu Auditorium’ to the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society; and enhancing the remuneration, leave entitlements, and appraisal process for Science and Mathematics Facilitators through ASTEC.

**News Article:**

**Assam Cabinet Approves New Police Battalion, Durga Puja Bonus, and Language Inclusivity for Exams**

**Guwahati, September 22, 2025** – The Assam State Cabinet, in a meeting held on Sunday, has greenlit several significant initiatives, including the establishment of a 10th Assam Police battalion, a generous bonus for tea garden workers, and the removal of language barriers in state-level examinations.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the approval of a ₹260 crore investment in a new Assam Police battalion located in Sonapure, near Guwahati. This move aims to bolster law enforcement capabilities in the region.

Adding to the festive cheer, the Cabinet has approved a 20% bonus for workers of tea gardens under the Assam Tea Corporation, timed for the upcoming Durga Puja celebrations.

In a bid to promote inclusivity, the Combined Competitive (Preliminary) Examination (CCE) conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) will now feature question papers in both English and Assamese languages. Chief Minister Sarma stated this will especially benefit candidates from rural and vernacular backgrounds. The ‘Comprehension’ section of the General Studies Paper-II, however, will remain exclusively in English.

Further decisions included entrusting the operation of the 5,000-capacity ‘Jyoti Bishnu Auditorium’ in Guwahati to the Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra Society, and enhancing the terms for Science and Mathematics Facilitators working through the Assam Science, Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC). The latter includes better pay, leave, and an annual appraisal format.

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