GUWAHATI: The Assam Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 has been presented, offering an integrated plan to enhance the state's economic growth, promote social welfare and uphold its rich cultural heritage.
In a major step to improve the economic stature of tea garden laborers, the Assam government has declared a one-time monetary grant of Rs. 5,000 to 6.8 lakh workers. The 2025-26 budget also resurrects the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for permanent employees who were recruited before February 1, 2005, and introduces a Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) for those who are covered under the National Pension System (NPS).
Health schemes encompass cashless medical care under the Mukhya Mantri Lok Sevak Arogya Yojana (MMLSAY) at CGHS rates for all categories of employees. A cash subsidy of Rs. 2,000 per kW to a maximum of Rs. 6,000 shall be provided for rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.
The budget provides Rs. 420 crore for cultural conservation, covering more than 17,000 religious institutions and providing financial support to 25,000 Namghars. In addition, a discount of Rs. 1 per unit on electricity usage up to 120 units will be given to household consumers from May 1, 2025.
Farmers would get improved support prices for their crops, Rs. 2,550 per quintal for rice and Rs. 6,450 for mustard. The budget aims for a record Rs 38,759.18 crore capital expenditure and a total expenditure of Rs. 1.55 lakh crore with the hope of 13% higher GSDP growth than the national average.
The budget charts a vision of development for Assam with financial discipline and out-of-the-box schemes to induce development.
Also Watch: