Assam Waives Stamp Duty On Self-Help Group Loans Up To Rs 10 Lakh

The Assam government has approved a waiver of stamp duty on loans of up to Rs 10 lakh taken by self-help group (SHG) members for livelihood and enterprise activities.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the decision after a state Cabinet meeting. The waiver will apply to individual loan documents executed by SHG members under the Assam State Rural Livelihoods Mission.

The exemption will cover loans of up to Rs 10 lakh obtained from scheduled commercial banks, regional rural banks, cooperative banks and other financial institutions regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

The Cabinet also approved compulsory registration of several types of agreements and documents related to property transactions. These include agreements for sale, development agreements, powers of attorney related to property, short-term leases, equitable mortgages and sale certificates.

The mandatory registration requirement will also cover bank guarantees, conveyances executed through mergers and demergers, and partnership arrangements involving immovable property.

Changes To Medical College Admissions

The Cabinet approved an amendment to the Assam Medical Colleges and Dental Colleges (Regulation of Admission into 1st Year MBBS/BDS Courses) Rules, 2017.

According to Sarma, the amendment will provide one additional seat each for the Moran, Matak, Koch Rajbongshi, Tai Ahom and Chutia communities in the state's medical colleges.

The government also announced the reservation of two MBBS seats specifically for orphan candidates who are domiciled in Assam. These seats will be adjusted against the candidates' respective social category seats.

The Cabinet further approved the admission of students under the state quota who are permanent residents of Assam for three generations but have completed their schooling outside the state.

New Rules For Ayurvedic Health Services

The Cabinet has also approved the Assam Ayurvedic Health Services Rules, 2026.

The new rules will govern recruitment and service conditions for Medical Officers (Ayurveda) appointed to the Assam Ayurvedic Health Service under the state's Health and Family Welfare Department.

The rules will cover the service framework for medical officers working under the Ayurvedic health services in the state.

Procurement Of Masoor Dal And Sugar

The Assam government also approved the procurement process for masoor dal and sugar for the period from October 2026 to March 2027.

The procurement will be carried out through the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED). The agency will invite tenders and determine the rates based on prevailing open market prices.

The Cabinet decisions cover financial support for SHG members, property registration requirements, medical and dental college admissions, Ayurvedic health services and procurement of essential food items for the upcoming period.