Assam’s Accelerated Growth Reflected in Budget: MP Dilip Saikia

Staff reporter

Guwahati: The Assam Budget for 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog in the Assam Legislative Assembly today, has been hailed as a significant step towards economic growth and inclusive development. Reacting to the budget, BJP State President and Member of Parliament Dilip Saikia described it as a reflection of Assam’s rapidly progressing economy and a people-centric initiative that aligns with the party’s vision of public welfare.

Saikia extended his gratitude to Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma for introducing several welfare measures that benefit all sections of society. He emphasized that the budget is comprehensive and designed to provide relief and support to the common people. In an official statement to the media, he highlighted Assam’s economic transformation over the past decade, noting that the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has risen significantly from Rs 2,27,959 crore in 2015-16 to Rs 6,43,667 crore in 2024-25. Additionally, per capita income has seen a notable increase from Rs 60,817 in 2015-16 to Rs 1,54,222 in 2024-25.

The budget outlines several welfare measures, including financial assistance for 32 lakh self-help group members under a women empowerment scheme and an expansion of the Nijut Moina initiative to cover twice the number of female students as last year. The Mukhya Mantri Jeevan Prerana scheme will provide Rs 2,500 per month for one year to graduate students from 2025, while schools and colleges established before 2006 will be provincialized. The Arunodoi scheme will be expanded to benefit 37.2 lakh women, and wages for ASHA and Anganwadi workers will be increased.

For tea garden workers, the budget includes a one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for 6.8 lakh workers. Support for cultural institutions has also been prioritized, with financial aid for 25,000 Namghars (Assamese prayer halls) and grants of Rs 25,000 each for 1,000 budding writers. Infrastructure development remains a key focus, with the construction of 25 km of roads under the Assam Mala project in every district. The healthcare and education sectors will see the establishment of a new medical college in Darrang and an agricultural college in Karbi Anglong. Additionally, land surveys will be conducted in char (riverine) areas, and efforts will be made to preserve cultural heritage by translating Ajan Fakir’s Zikir and Zari songs into local languages.

The budget also includes substantial allocations for autonomous councils, with Rs 1,143 crore for the Bodoland Territorial Council, Rs 621 crore for the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, and Rs 306 crore for the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council. Saikia emphasized that the budget effectively addresses Assam’s infrastructural growth and socio-economic progress without imposing additional taxes on citizens.

Criticizing the previous Congress-led government for minimal capital expenditure in 2015-16, which he claimed hindered Assam’s development, Saikia pointed out that under BJP rule, capital expenditure has increased significantly—from Rs 24,964 crore in 2024-25 (until March 6) to a proposed Rs 38,202.78 crore in 2025-26. He termed this a commendable step towards the state’s progress.

Expressing confidence in Assam’s future, Saikia stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and the BJP-led coalition government, Assam is on track to become a prosperous and leading state in India.

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