A pro-people budget, writes Nirmalendu Kar Purkayastha

July 16: Assam State Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented the budget during the Budget Session of 15th Assam Assembly for the financial year 2021-22 with budget deficit of 566 crore. As such, new tax on public is conspicuous by its absence. Indeed a great sigh of relief for all of us.

Huge outlay has been made on rural sector. Smart phone for students of Class IX & X to make the learning loss less severe .Indeed, it is an inspiring step for both school goers and dropouts. Thrust has been given on employment of youth, woman empowerment, welfare measures like safe drinking water for Tea garden employees. Infrastructure and industry has also been addressed in this budget. The much expected Micro finance loan waver has also been reflected in this budget.

Budget outlay also made to build up resilience and also all possible efforts have been made for shunning grim fear of colossal and catastrophic post-COVID pandemic devastation of economy. It will not be out of place to mention that roads and embankment of the Barak Valley are expected to get a face lift . A Food Processing industry may get foot hold in Silchar Some of the important issues like price hike, especially exorbitant petrol price, remain out of ambit of this budget. The budget is people friendly and in a nutshell, we may call it a pro people budget.