Guwahati: The Assam cabinet on Sunday classified the transgender community in the state as a socially and educationally backward class."Today our cabinet has granted the status of socially and educationally backward class to the third gender, whom we call transgenders.

But we will give identity cards to only those who are residents of Assam.

This status won't be enjoyed by those transgenders who are here for various works. It will only be enjoyed by those who are the original inhabitants," CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said during a press conference, following a cabinet meeting.The cabinet's decision to classify the transgender community as ‘socially and educationally backward classes' is in line with the spirit of the direction of the Supreme Court.

District commissioners have been saddled with the responsibility to verify an applicants status when issuing identity cards.The cabinet also approved a new initiative called ‘Shradhanjali', which will support transportation of deceased bodies of students and youths working in other states. The state govt will prioritise covering the costs of bringing back the remains of low-income youth workers who may have died while working in other states, said a govt release.

"In this year's budget, we decided that if youths or students, especially if they die outside the state, the govt will bring back their bodies with respect. Today, the state cabinet has approved a scheme named Shradhanjali. Under this scheme, their bodies will be brought back at the state govt's expenditure," Sarma said.From Oct 1, the scheme will ensure easy, lawful, and coordinated transportation of the bodies from other states.

According to an official statement, the scheme will primarily be applicable for youth engaged in low-wage employment outside the state and those who have died in exceptional circumstances like murders and accidents. Deaths during medical treatments, outside Assam, have been excluded.A DIG-level officer from the Assam Police special branch will serve as the nodal officer to oversee the return of the bodies. The statement said families can report through local administration, police or by dialling 112.

Without formal implementation, approximately 15 bodies have already returned to the state this year, the statement said.Further, the cabinet approved the creation of the Rabha development council for people from the Rabha community residing outside the Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) area. The council will implement welfare programmes to enhance the socio-economic, educational and cultural development.In other major decisions, the cabinet approved the Assam State Mineral Exploration Trust Rules, 2025, for establishing the State Mineral Exploration Trust (SMET) to advance exploration of minor minerals such as sand, gravel, stone, granite, limestone, quartzite and china clay. They also approved allocation of a site to Hinduja Renewables Energy Private Limited for a 900 MW off-stream pumped storage project in West Karbi Anglong."With an investment of Rs 5400 crores, this project will contribute towards achieving the state's target of 2 GW PSP capacity by 2030," the release said.The cabinet also approved establishment of Rs 3000 crore SEBI-registered Assam Industrial and Green Growth Fund — an alternate investment fund for Assam with Anchor Investment worth Rs 500 crore in a phased manner to mobilise long-term capital for renewable energy, green infrastructure, priority start-ups, agro-tech, tourism, MSMEs and other priority sectors.The cabinet has also agreed to fill half the supervisor posts with experienced Anganwadi workers, while maintaining direct recruitment for the remaining positions. Moreover, two wetlands in Goalpara and Urpad and Hasila Beel has been designated as proposed reserve forests. The cabinet also approved an increased honorarium for cook cum helpers, under the PM POSHAN scheme from Oct.