Assam Cabinet accords approval to Assam Witness Protection Scheme, 2024

To ensure protection of imminent threats during the course of the investigation and trial of any cases, the Assam Cabinet has accorded approval to the Assam Witness Protection Scheme, 2024 to ensure adherence to Section 398 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

The state government stated that a witness Protection Application may be moved by the witness in the prescribed form before a Competent Authority through its Member Secretary for seeking Witness Protection Order.The Competent Authority is a Standing Committee in each District chaired by the District and Sessions Judge. The Head of the Police in the District and an officer not below the rank of the ADC to be nominated by the District Magistrate will be its members and the Head of the Prosecution in the District will be its Member Secretary.

The government added that the Witnesses will be categorized as A, B & C as per threat perception.Constitution of Witness Protection Fund under the scheme a State Witness Protection Authority will be constituted. Protection measures under this scheme will include holding of in-camera trials, installation of security devices (CCTV, security door, alarm, fencing) in the witness' home, Close protection and patrolling near witness' home, Temporary change of residence, escort to and from the Court, provision of Government vehicle for the date of hearing.

With a view to reduce undue burden of the citizens, the Cabinet has advised the Transport Department to not levy any fine on two wheelers in absence of documents like license, PUC, registration, etc. Not wearing of helmets will continue to attract fines.In all such cases, legal action will be initiated as the normal course of action, removing the fine component as a form of penalty.In case of three-wheel vehicles like auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws etc, four warnings will be given for rule violations, post which fine will be levied. This decision will benefit a large section of the society like students, gig workers, delivery partners, public transport drivers among others by saving their hard-earned money.

In view of concerns received from various quarters on bidding high prices for settlement of Markets/ Bazaar/Haats/Ghats etc and this resulting in higher rate of collection from the traders & public, the State Cabinet has decided to cancel the tenders for all the Markets/Bazaars / Haats / Ghats etc. which were floated by the Zila Parishads, Anchalik Panchayats & Gaon Panchayats

The State Goverment will float new tenders. The Government value of the tender will be the average of the settlement value of the previous 3 years for the respective Market/ Bazaar/Haat/ghat/etc.Any bidder can quote a maximum 10% above the Government value for the Market / Bazaar/Haat/ghat etc. Any bid above 10% will not be accepted.

In the intervening period till new tenders are issued and bids are made, the present lessee will continue to run these markets at previously settled rates.This will benefit the common people by bringing down prices of commodities being traded in such designated places

To ensure safety and security of workers working under Private Placement agencies, the State Cabinet has accorded approval to the Assam Private Placement Agencies for Recruitment of Workers' (Regulation) Rules, 2024

These rules will be in line with "The Private Placement Agencies for Recruitment of Workers (Regulation) Act, 2019" and will facilitate in maintaining a database of both Workers and Private Placement Agencies of the State.Under this rule, the Private Placement Agencies can be registered under the Labour Welfare Department which will allow the State Govt to regulate Private Placement Agencies operating their business or willing to commence their business in the State of Assam. These rules will thus allow verification of the operational status and existential authenticity of the agencies.