Assam Cabinet Approves Uniform Civil Code and New Budget Saving Measures

May 13, 2026, 11:12
IndiaPolitics

Introduction

The government of Assam has approved the introduction of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) and has started a series of plans to reduce government spending.

Main Body

Regarding personal law, the cabinet has approved the Uniform Civil Code, and the official bill will be presented to the assembly on May 26. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized that this version is specifically designed to exclude tribal groups and protect religious customs. The UCC will focus on standardizing marriage ages, banning polygamy, defining inheritance rights for women, and requiring the registration of marriages and divorces. At the same time, the administration is turning its election promises into official policies for the next five years. Consequently, a special task force led by the chief secretary has been created to develop a strategy to provide 200,000 new jobs within three years. Furthermore, the government has appointed Advocate General Devajit Saikia for another five-year term and allocated ₹32 crore to build a museum for Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati. Finally, due to global instability involving the US, Israel, and Iran, the cabinet has introduced strict austerity measures. These rules include a six-month ban on buying new government vehicles and foreign products, as well as a ban on international travel unless it is for a medical emergency. To increase efficiency, the government aims to reduce fuel costs by 20% over the next year and will prioritize the use of electric vehicles.

Conclusion

Assam is moving forward with a tailored Uniform Civil Code and strict spending limits to deal with global economic pressures.

Learning

The Logic of 'Linking' (Moving from A2 to B2)

At the A2 level, students usually write short, choppy sentences: "The government wants to save money. They banned new cars."

To reach B2, you must use Connectors (Linking Words) to show the relationship between ideas. This article is a goldmine for this. Let's look at three specific 'bridges' used here:

1. The 'Result' Bridge: Consequently

  • A2 style: The government wants jobs. They made a task force.
  • B2 style: "...turning election promises into official policies... Consequently, a special task force... has been created."
  • Why? Consequently tells the reader that the second action happened because of the first. It transforms a list of facts into a logical argument.

2. The 'Addition' Bridge: Furthermore

  • A2 style: They appointed a lawyer. They also spent money on a museum.
  • B2 style: "...appointed Advocate General Devajit Saikia... Furthermore, the government... allocated ₹32 crore..."
  • Why? Furthermore is the professional version of "and" or "also." Use it when you want to add a new, important point to your list.

3. The 'Reason' Bridge: Due to

  • A2 style: The world is unstable. The cabinet introduced rules.
  • B2 style: "Due to global instability... the cabinet has introduced strict austerity measures."
  • Why? Due to allows you to put the cause at the beginning of the sentence, making the writing feel more academic and fluid.

💡 Pro Tip for B2 Fluency: Stop using 'And', 'But', and 'Because' at the start of every sentence. Replace them with:

  • And→\text{And} \rightarrow Furthermore / In addition
  • Because→\text{Because} \rightarrow Due to / Since
  • So→\text{So} \rightarrow Consequently / Therefore

Vocabulary Learning

assembly
A group of people gathered for a specific purpose, such as a legislative body.
Example:The bill will be presented to the assembly on May 26.
tribal
Relating to a group of people who share a common culture or ethnicity, often in rural areas.
Example:The UCC is specifically designed to exclude tribal groups.
customs
Traditional practices or habits followed by a particular group.
Example:The law protects religious customs.
polygamy
The practice of having more than one spouse at the same time.
Example:The UCC bans polygamy.
inheritance
Property or money passed down from one generation to another.
Example:The bill defines inheritance rights for women.
registration
The act of officially recording something.
Example:The UCC requires the registration of marriages and divorces.
election
The process of voting for officials or deciding on policies.
Example:The administration is turning its election promises into official policies.
policy
A deliberate plan or principle adopted by an organization.
Example:The government has implemented new spending policies.
strategy
A plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal.
Example:A task force has been created to develop a strategy for new jobs.
term
A fixed period of time during which a position is held.
Example:The Advocate General was appointed for another five‑year term.
instability
Lack of steady or reliable conditions, often in political or economic contexts.
Example:Global instability involving the US, Israel, and Iran prompted new measures.
austerity
Strict measures to reduce spending and increase savings.
Example:The cabinet introduced strict austerity measures.
ban
To prohibit or forbid something.
Example:There is a six‑month ban on buying new government vehicles.
vehicles
Means of transportation such as cars or trucks.
Example:The ban covers new government vehicles.
foreign
Coming from another country.
Example:The ban also applies to foreign products.
emergency
An urgent, unexpected situation that requires immediate action.
Example:International travel is allowed only for a medical emergency.
efficiency
The ability to achieve a goal with minimal waste or effort.
Example:To increase efficiency, the government aims to reduce fuel costs.
fuel
Substance that powers engines, such as petrol or diesel.
Example:Reducing fuel costs by 20% is part of the plan.
electric
Powered by electricity.
Example:The government will prioritize the use of electric vehicles.
spending
The act of using money for goods or services.
Example:Strict spending limits were introduced to deal with economic pressures.