Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the state budget for the financial year 2021-22, tabled by finance minister Ajanta Neog in the Assam Legislative Assembly on July 16, as a public welfare-oriented budget.
He mentioned the day as historic as for the first time a woman finance minister placed budget in the state assembly. He also thanked and congratulated minister Ajanta Neog for placing the Rs 1.07 lakh crore-budget proposal without imposing any additional tax burden and giving a clear outline of the government’s commitment to fulfil the promises made to the people.
Underlining the finance minister’s budget proposals for waiving MFI loans to eligible beneficiaries, jobs for unemployed youth, increase in the number of beneficiaries and monthly financial assistance of Arunodoi scheme as very significant, the Assam chief minister said that the announcements would greatly benefit the people.
He also said that the budget gives a glimpse of the revolution envisioned by the government in the field of agriculture as efforts are already on to make the state ‘Aatmanirbhar’ on agriculture, horticulture, dairy and veterinary sector.
Chief minister Sarma further said that proposals made in the Assam budget for electricity connection in every Anganwadi Centre, setting up around 1000 hospitals in rural areas apart from construction of five new medical colleges were revolutionary.
He said that the COVID-induced situation led to a digital divide which was about to cripple the education system. “Keeping this in view, the budget proposal regarding smartphones to 8 lakh students of poor families would help the government in addressing the digital divide,” he said.
Chief Minister Sarma also appreciated the measures announced for augmenting revenue generation in the budget.
