Assam Budget 2021-22: Growth oriented with focused approach, writes Prof. Niranjan Roy

July 16: The first budget of the newly formed Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma-led Government of Assam has focused on overall development goals for the state of Assam. The budget seeks to address the problems created by the Covid-19 pandemic in the state. The budget proposal for 2021-22 rest on crucial pillars, like, socio-economic development, creation of physical infrastructure, inclusive growth for the rural sector, health, well-being and education; poverty alleviation; strengthening governance and protection of indigenous culture of the state of Assam.

The finance minister of the state Ajanta Neog presented the budget for 2021-22, but focused on a clear road-map for the future period. For instance, allocation of financial assistance to recently established six Universities like the Majuli University of Culture, Rabindranath Tagore University (Hojai), Bhattadev University (Pathsala), Madhabdev University (Narayanpur), Birangana Sati Sadhini State University (Golaghat) and Aniruddhadev Sports University (Chabua) to the tune of Rs 8 crore (2021-22), Rs 22 crore (2022-23) and Rs 20 crore (2023-24). Similarly, the decision for a financial package to reputed and over 100-year-old educational institutions will help nurture the state’s heritage education institutions. At the same time, substantial fund allocation for setting up 1000 model Anganwadi centres is a direction towards implementing National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

To create good health infrastructure in the state, the Government proposed establishing five more medical colleges in the state with a target to set up one medical college in every district in the near future as announced by the finance minister. With the declaration of these five new medical colleges, the number of medical colleges in the state would rise to 23.

It has also been proposed that Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF) will be set up in partnership with Tata Trusts to establish cancer hospitals at Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Tezpur, Lakhimpur, Mangaldoi, Kokrajhar, Jorhat, Guwahati, Silchar and Diphu by 2022. Further, it is announced that some Primary Health Centres in the state will be upgraded to hospitals. These initiatives will help strengthen the health infrastructure for providing medical facilities to the people.

For streamlining social development in the state, the Government proposed strengthening flagship schemes like Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AMFIRS), Orunodoi scheme, Sunil Biplab, Swanirbhar Naari, Sonali Xaishab Bikkashit Axom and Affordable Nutrition & Nourishment Assistance (ANNA) Yojana and Anna Nischito Asoni. Substantial allocation in the budget has been made for all these schemes, including a waiver for a microlender. The Government’s commitment to supporting the SHGs has been focused on in the budget proposal.

Agriculture is the life-blood in the economy of the state of Assam. The vision of the Government of Assam for sustainable development of agriculture and allied sector is visible from the budget proposal. The Government announced to set up State Agriculture Commission to be headed by a scientist of international repute with a mandate to study and suggest measures for achieving self-sufficiency in agricultural production and devise a roadmap for the future. For the Fishery sector’s development, it is proposed that 10,000 village community tanks of one hectare each be constructed in all revenue villages for accelerating fish production in the state. Further, the proposal for the construction of 1000 kilometres of embankments cum roads will help mitigate the flood problems in the state.

For strengthening physical infrastructure, the Government announced ‘Assam Mala’ under which several projects worth Rs 5,556 crore were proposed to improve road connectivity. Four major roadways, viz, Kokrajhar to Rupsi Airport via Bashbari, Rowenta to Misamari, Gohpur to Dholpur via Ghagrabasti, and NH 52 (Dirak gate) Bijulibon Pengeree will be constructed under this scheme.

Other vital announcements include the Chief Minister COVID Relief Scheme, i.e. financial assistance of Rs. 1 lakh to the families that have lost one or more members to COVID-19, Rs. 1 lakh to the next kin of the deceased. Under the CM’s Widow Support Scheme, for women from low-income families, who have lost their husbands due to COVID-19, financial assistance of ₹2.50 lakh is provided.

For the protection of the indigenous culture of the state, a sum of Rs. 100 crore has been earmarked for the proposed Indigenous Faith and Culture Department with the amalgamation of Directorate of Archaeology, Directorate of Museum and Directorate of Historical and Antiquarian Studies under the new department.

These initiatives will definitely open up new avenues for ‘Atmanirbhar Assam’, a notion for the resurgence of the state’s past glory. It is to be noted that immediately after the independence, the GSDP of undivided Assam was 4 per cent higher than all India GDP. Kautilya planned a sustainable living framework for the economy which guarantees an economic, social, political and cultural existence free of stress, a threat-free yet conductive product pattern economy. This is precisely the model envisioned by the Government of Assam at this point, emphasising peace-building efforts in the state.

It is to be noted that Assam is one of the prosperous states in managing the Covid-19 pandemic very efficiently in both phases. 2021-22 provides a new direction to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, to which the state is already committed. At the same time, the state will also emerge as a strong economy in the coming days.

**Prof Niranjan Roy teaches Economics in Assam University, Silchar. A scholar of repute, Prof Roy is the author of several well acclaimed books.