Assam cabinet approves polygamy ban, offenders to face up to seven years jail

Guwahati: The Assam government has approved two major decisions during a cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan, Guwahati, on Sunday, November 9.

The first decision was the approval of the Assam Prohibition of Polygamy Bill, 2025, which seeks to ban polygamy across the state.

However, the law will not apply to areas governed under the Sixth Schedule.

The bill is aimed at protecting women from emotional, social, and financial harm caused by polygamous marriages.

It also ensures legal safeguards and compensation for affected women to uphold their rights and dignity.

Chief Minister Sarma stated that the bill proposes up to seven years of imprisonment for anyone who marries again while still legally married.

He added that the bill will be introduced in the Assam Legislative Assembly on November 25. The Chief Minister clarified that the bill will not be applicable to tribal regions covered under the Sixth Schedule.

The cabinet also approved the Assam Startup and Innovation Policy 2025–30, a five-year roadmap aimed at transforming Assam into a leading hub for startups and innovation in India.

With a total financial outlay of Rs 397 crore, the policy includes multiple funding mechanisms to support emerging entrepreneurs and businesses.

It introduces grants for idea validation and prototype development, along with seed and venture capital funds to help startups expand, scale up, and create employment opportunities across the state.