GUWAHATI, Dec 5 � A State Cabinet meeting on Saturday decided to raise a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in the line of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to ensure immediate response and rescue work in the event of any natural or man-made disaster.
State Government spokesperson Himanta Biswa Sarma informed mediapersons today that as per the Cabinet decision, two battalions comprising 200 skilled and trained personnel each would be raised.
While one battalion would be stationed in Kamrup, the other would operate from Barak Valley.
�The State does not have any specialized disaster management unit of its own, which is why the decision to raise the force was taken,� Sarma stated.
The State Cabinet also approved the decision of Damodardeb Tithi being declared as a State holiday. The list of holidays, otherwise, would remain the same.
He also informed that the State Government has moved the authority concerned to convene the next Assembly session immediately after Magh Bihu.
Sarma also informed that as per a decision, the Government has decided to collect 25 paisa cess against per kilogram of bought leaf, by dint of which a corpus fund of Rs 25 crore would be raised per annum to be utilized for the welfare of the labourers working under small tea growers.
The Cess Utilization Policy approved by the Cabinet would ensure proper health and social security to the labourers engaged under small tea growers.
The Cabinet has also decided to create new sub-divisions after examining the already placed demands.
�A Cabinet sub-committee has been constituted to examine the demands and recommend accordingly,� Sarma divulged.
