Guwahati: The Assam government has approved a bill aimed at eradicating practices of "magical healing" disguised as medical treatment, with strict penalties for practitioners. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday.

Among the announcements made during the meeting, Mr. Sarma revealed that the cabinet has selected 10 cities/towns for a specialized sustainable development program and proposed reforms for the state's municipal cadres.

The council of ministers endorsed the 'Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil) Practices Bill, 2024', which aims to eliminate magical healing practices falsely claiming to cure congenital diseases such as deafness, dumbness, blindness, physical deformity, and autism. The bill seeks to completely ban such healing sessions and impose stringent penalties on healers exploiting vulnerable individuals in the guise of treatment.

In pursuit of sustainable urban development, the concept of developing ten cities (Doh Shaher-Ek Rupayan) will be introduced. The implementation of this concept will be overseen by a state-level steering committee, focusing on aspects such as solid waste management, clean water supply, traffic management, urban planning, and capacity building.

Additionally, the cabinet approved an amendment to the Assam Municipal Act 1956, which will clarify the roles and responsibilities of three state municipal cadres. Furthermore, approval was granted for the 'Assam Village Defence Organisation (Amendment) Bill, 2024', aimed at enhancing the functionality of the VDOs.

To streamline administrative processes, 352 new posts will be created in the Assam Secretariat Service and Assam Secretariat Subordinate Services. Additionally, the cabinet gave the green light for the establishment of a Wildlife Safari and Rescue Centre at Namdang Reserved Forest under the Dibrugarh Forest Division. Estimated at ₹259 crore, this center will showcase the biodiversity of the Northeast region and serve as a significant tourist attraction.

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