Assam: Our Target is to Cross the GDP of Punjab by 2029: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

BK Sharma panel report placed in House on Congress’ demand

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: On the third day of the current budget session, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma today gave certain hints on the floor of the Assam Legislative Assembly about what the Assam Budget for 2025-26 will have for the state. He stated that the government has set a target for Assam's GDP to cross that of Punjab by 2029.

The CM's comments came on the heels of the discussion on the speech of Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya in the House on the first day of the budget session, which was held for the first time outside the state's capital at Kokrajhar on February 17.

The Chief Minister said in the House on Thursday, "The economy of the state is in good health when the ratio of 30:30:30 is maintained in contribution from the agriculture sector, from industry, and services equally. The state government can increase the state's GDP but not the per capita income, for which population control is necessary. We are now conducting a drive against child marriage, as the population growth will slow down if we can keep a strict check on it. The impact of stopping child marriage will be apparent in the state after around ten years. To achieve a Golden Assam, we must control the population growth. Only then will the per capita income increase. It was only due to the Congress rule that the per capita income remained low. I have been the CM for just three years, so there is no point in blaming me for the scenario."

He further stated that Assam was earlier ranked 19th in GDP in the country, but now it has gone up to 17th. "Our target is now to cross the GDP of Punjab by 2029," he asserted.

Giving a glimpse into the state's annual budget for the next financial year, the CM said, "The Government of India is paying the MSP for paddy and mustard. We are planning an additional price over the MSP for the farmers in our state. We are also thinking of providing MSP for maize farmers in Assam. I have already asked the finance minister to work on it, and this will be included in the budget speech."

The CM also announced Rs 8 crore for two high schools in each of the 126 LACs in the state, for their infrastructure development.

Moreover, the Chief Minister declared that the government is mulling whether it is possible to provide pulses, salt, and sugar to ration card holders at lower prices than those prevailing in the market.

Another major declaration by the CM was that the tariff per unit of power will be lowered by Rs 1 from April 1 or May 1, 2025. The power tariff will later be brought down by another 50 paise for consumers in the state, he said.

Moreover, an inspirational allowance will be paid to unemployed graduate youths for a period of at least one year. "We are working out how to include this in the budget," he affirmed.

He further said, "We are taking up another scheme to develop our villages with a targeted approach. We will provide Rs 1 crore for the development of villages. Initially, we will reach out to three or four villages in all LACs."

"Our next budget will reflect our self-reliance," the CM also said. Finance Minister Ajanta Neog is slated to place the annual state budget in the Assembly on March 10.

The major achievements of last year were the UNESCO World Heritage tag for Charaideo Maidam and the declaration of Assamese as a classical language. The CM thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the twin milestones. He attributed the achievements to the support from the people of Assam, for which he extended his gratitude.

Regarding the report by the one-man Justice BK Sharma Commission on the cash-for-job scam in the APSC, the CM said, "The report was submitted to me, and I read it. I did not want to place it before the House. I worked with Tarun Gogoi for 14-15 years. As the report went against him, I did not want to disclose that. But it was the Congress party that insisted on placing the report in the state Assembly. The Congress should have been aware of whose time Rakesh Paul's appointment was done. The appointment file had the signature of Tarun Gogoi. The party should also have known that comments against Gogoi are certain to be included in the report. Now, after placing the report in the Assembly, the Congress is now saying it is not correct. Being the son of Tarun Gogoi, Gaurav Gogoi must defend his father, as it is his filial obligation as per the Hindu religion. It has been three days since the report was laid, but there has been no comment from Gaurav Gogoi."

One thing was mentioned in the report that scam-tainted Rakesh Paul had gifted gold jewellery at Gaurav Gogoi's wedding. The CM pointed out that Gaurav Gogoi has not refuted this allegation.

The Justice BK Sharma report was placed in the House by the CM on the first day of the Budget Session.

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