Assam Cabinet Approves Green Cess Policy 2026 to Tax Resource-Intensive and Polluting Sectors

In a major regulatory step toward sustainable resource management and environmental conservation, the Assam Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma approved the Assam Green Cess Policy, 2026. The policy establishes a comprehensive legal framework for levying an environmental cess on commercial activities that utilize natural resources or generate significant environmental pressures. Under the newly approved policy, the state government has agreed in principle to impose the green cess across six specific categories: stone-crushing units, brick kilns, imported timber processing, industrial units categorized by high pollution indices, commercial groundwater extraction, and ownership transfers of pre-owned motor vehicles. The funds collected through this levy will be dedicated to environmental restoration and disaster resilience, including repairing river embankments damaged during monsoons and financing state solar energy installations. Alongside the environmental policy, the Cabinet announced several administrative decisions, including relaxing the maximum entry age for ex-servicemen applying for Grade III and IV government posts from 42 to 45 years. The state also cleared promotion rule relaxations for administrative staff and sanctioned the third edition of the 'Khel Maharan' grassroots sports program with dedicated scholarships for under-12 athletes, reflecting a broader administrative reform agenda.