Assam Govt presents deficit budget of Rs 566.20 crore for FY 2021-22

GUWAHATI:

Assam's first woman Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, on Friday, presented a deficit budget of Rs 566.20 crore for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22.

Neog stated that the aggregate income of the government has been calculated at Rs 2,89,770.68 crore for FY 2021-22, and the total expenditure for the financial year has been estimated at Rs 2,89,367.10 crore.

The Assam Budget 2021-22 tabled in the assembly makes provisions for various schemes for the public, besides fulling the aspirations of the citizens of Assam, informed Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

From education and jobs to developmental projects, here are the key highlights of the budget presented by Neog.

The government has allocated Rs 40 crore for aiding the families who lost their loved ones due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The budget promises Rs 1 lakh one-time compensation to the next of the kins of those who have died due to COVID-19.

Among the notable schemes, the budget also promises smartphones to class IX and X students in government schools.

Under the new budget, the government will recruit 1 lakhs youths for government jobs in the state.

As for the welfare schemes, the Budget will provide microfinance loan waivers to economically vulnerable people through incentives.

The Assam government has also proposed to build 1000 KM of embankments and roads so as to make Assam flood-free.

As for taxation, this year's budget made no new tax proposal, and tax rates remain unchanged.

Among other things, the budget also allocated funds for 5 new medical colleges at Golaghat, Dhemaji, Morigaon, Bongaigaon and Tamulpur.

Under the poverty alleviation Orunodoi scheme, financial assistance has been increased from Rs 830 to Rs 1,000 per month to ensure support for financially weaker families.

The Finance Minister also proposed piped gas supply to 2,69,648 families of tea garden workers.

Pro-poor budget

Assam Chief Minister termed the budget to be pro-poor that will strengthen the COVID-19-ravaged economy of Assam. He maintained that the government is committed to uplift every section of the society through this budget and boost the double-engine of development.

The further mentioned that the budget includes many path-breaking initiatives that will also drive economic revival post-pandemic.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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