Guwahati, 2nd February: As the Budget Session of the Assam legislative assembly kicks off on February 5, the Assam government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is gearing up to present its budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 on February 12. Finance Minister Ajanta Neog emphasizes a “realistic” approach, aiming for 100 percent expenditure efficiency.
In her statement to ANI, Ajanta Neog outlined her priorities for the upcoming budget, stating, “My first priority is to place a realistic budget. This is an important aspect that whenever [we] place a budget, the expenditure should be 100 percent.” Neog brings three years of experience to the budgeting process and intends to adopt a new formula to enhance expenditure outcomes.
Acknowledging that previous expenditures hovered around 80 percent, Neog aims to present a budget that reflects every sector’s needs. The focus is on benefiting women, youth, and fostering public and capital expenditure for infrastructure development.
Last year, Ajanta Neog presented a budget with an aggregate expenditure of approximately Rs 3.21 lakh crore for the year. During her previous budget presentation, she envisioned Assam’s GDP rising to Rs 5.5 lakh crore in 2023-24, up from Rs 3.93 lakh crore in 2021-22.
One of the notable initiatives proposed by Neog was the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission.’ This scheme aimed at promoting microentrepreneurs to create self-employment opportunities for unemployed youths from below poverty line (BPL) families and low-income households. With a total investment of Rs 5,000 crores over the next three years, the mission aimed to transform over two lakh unemployed youths into job creators.
As Assam gears up for another budget under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the emphasis on realism and efficient expenditure reflects the government’s commitment to holistic development and inclusive growth.
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