Guwahati
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma emphasized that the Assam budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 draws inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to propel India towards becoming a developed nation. Sarma hailed the budget’s pragmatic approach, which offers a viable roadmap for sustainable growth while prioritizing the creation of employment opportunities.
Presented by Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, the budget for 2024-2025 stands at Rs 2.9 lakh crore, featuring a deficit of Rs 774.47 crore and proposing no new taxes. Sarma commended Neog for crafting a budget aimed at positioning Assam among the top five states in India.
Highlighting exceptional aspects of the budget, Sarma underscored its focus on sustainable growth and job creation. He lauded Assam’s economic growth, surpassing the national GDP rate, and doubling per capita income since the inception of the Double Engine Government in 2016.
The Chief Minister accentuated the record-breaking capital expenditure, projected to exceed Rs 20,000 Cr in 2024-25, demonstrating the state’s commitment to infrastructure development. He emphasized the budget’s emphasis on fostering entrepreneurship and supporting women empowerment initiatives, such as expanding the Orunodoi scheme and providing financial assistance to women entrepreneurs.
Moreover, Sarma outlined the budget’s focus on green growth, with plans to plant 3 crore saplings, introduce electric buses, and establish over 1000 MW of renewable energy and rooftop solar plants. The budget also prioritizes the well-being of the tea garden community, invests in cultural heritage preservation, and supports infrastructural development initiatives like the Maa Kamakhya corridor and pilgrimage sites.
