Guwahati, Sep 25 (PTI) The Assam cabinet has decided to introduce a universal old age pension scheme to cover all BPL and APL ration card holders above the age of 60.

The cabinet, in a meeting here on Tuesday, decided to launch on October 2 the universal old age pension scheme.

The cabinet also decided to bring amendment in the Assam Special Land Act, 1990 by which exemption on 10 paisa tea cess will be given to small tea growers, said a release from the Chief Minister's Office said.

Those exporting tea from the Export Tea Centre at Amingaon in the state will get Rs 6/per kg rebate as agriculture income tax for improving tea export promotion, the cabinet decided.

The cabinet also decided to bring amendment in the Assam GST Act to increase the annual turnover limit for mandatory registration under the legislation from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.

There was a cabinet recommendation for a Sports University Bill to set up a sports university at Chabua named after Aniruddha Dev.

The cabinet also decided that the Inland Water Transport Authority Bill will be amended for regulating and inspecting all vessels for their safety measures.

Further, the cabinet congratulated Assam-based film-maker Rima Das and decided to give her Rs 50 lakh as a reward for her movie Village Rockstars' selection as India's official entry for Oscar.

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