Guwahati: Assam’s fiscal landscape for 2025-26 was laid bare as Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented a substantial ₹2.63 lakh crore budget in the state assembly on Monday.
Despite the ambitious spending plan, the budget projects a manageable deficit of ₹620.27 crore, signaling a calculated approach to the state’s economic management.
A significant relief was announced for the salaried class, with an exemption from professional tax for individuals earning up to ₹15,000 per month.
This move is expected to benefit over 1.43 lakh taxpayers and their families, injecting much-needed purchasing power into the state’s economy. Further bolstering the agricultural sector, the tax holiday for green tea leaves has been extended for an additional two years, providing crucial support to Assam’s vital tea industry.
The budget outlines a robust plan for industrial and infrastructural development. Under the banner of Advantage Assam 2.0, new industrial parks are slated for establishment in key districts including Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Silchar, Palashbari, Jagiroad, Tezpur, and Nalbari, with a substantial allocation of ₹500 crore to drive industrial growth. In a landmark move to enhance urban infrastructure, a township project, backed by ₹8,000 crore in financial assistance from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will be developed in Palashbari and Jagiroad.
Addressing the critical issue of human-elephant conflict, the government has launched the Gaja Mitra Initiative in five severely affected districts: Goalpara, Tezpur, Udalguri, Baksa, and Nagaon. This comprehensive strategy includes the deployment of AI-powered cameras for elephant movement monitoring, habitat improvement to mitigate human-wildlife encounters, and the formation of dedicated Gaja Mitra teams for rapid response in conflict zones.
In what marks her final full budget presentation before the 2026 assembly elections, Minister Neog underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering economic growth, providing tax relief, prioritizing environmental conservation, and driving industrial expansion. This strategic budget sets a clear trajectory for Assam’s continued development and prosperity.
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