The Assam Cabinet has recommended a CBI probe into the July 19 floods that reportedly killed 106 people in Charaideo and Sivasagar. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also announced stricter penalties for government employees practising polygamy, a proposed 2,000-acre defence corridor in Morigaon and 15 councils to monitor welfare schemes.
The Assam government has recommended a CBI probe into the devastating July 19 floods that killed 106 people, reversing its earlier stand on an investigation into the disaster.
Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, briefing the press after a Cabinet meeting late on Tuesday evening, said that the state would send a formal request to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) within the next 10 days.
“Whether the CBI takes up the probe is up to the Centre. But we, the state government, have recommended a CBI probe to find out the root reasons behind the devastating July floods in Charaideo and Sivasagar,” Sarma said.
Stricter Penalties For Employees Practising Polygamy
In another major initiative, the Assam government has tightened disciplinary action against government employees practising polygamy, with Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma announcing that those found guilty will face termination from service and will also be barred from applying for government jobs in the future.
Guwahati, Assam: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma says, “Today, the Assam Cabinet has taken some very important decisions. First, the Cabinet has decided to conduct an inquiry to find out the root causes of the floods that affected Sivasagar and Charaideo districts from July 19 onwards. That is one of the decisions. The second decision is that, now that the Uniform Civil Code has been notified and has received the President’s assent, we have amended our civil service conduct rules. If any government servant is found guilty of practising polygamy, dismissal will be imposed as a major penalty. We will directly impose this major penalty on anyone found indulging in polygamy…”
— IANS (@ians_india) November 3, 2026
Sarma made the announcement on November 3, outlining the decision taken by the state Cabinet. The government has amended the Assam Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1964, by inserting Clause 6 under Rule 7 to provide for stricter action against employees found practising polygamy.
Under the amended provision, government employees found engaging in polygamy will face dismissal from service. They will also be disqualified from applying for future government employment, the Chief Minister said.
Earlier Restrictions On Multiple Marriages
The latest decision builds on the Assam government’s earlier efforts to restrict multiple marriages among its employees. In October 2023, the state government issued an order reiterating that no government servant could enter into another marriage while their spouse was alive without obtaining prior permission from the government, even if the employee’s personal law permitted such a marriage.
The directive was issued under Rule 26 of the Assam Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1965. It also covered female government employees marrying men whose spouses were still alive. Violations could invite departmental proceedings and major penalties, including compulsory retirement.
Defence Corridor Planned In Morigaon
The Assam Cabinet also decided to set up a defence corridor on 2,000 acres of land at Nellie in Morigaon district to facilitate the defence sector’s entry into the state.
Cabinet Approves 15 Welfare Monitoring Councils
The Assam Cabinet on Tuesday approved the formation of 15 new councils to monitor the implementation of government welfare schemes, assess their impact on beneficiaries and recommend changes based on public feedback.