Assam Finance minister inclusive growth is focus of fiscal budget
Assam Finance minister inclusive growth is focus of fiscal budget
GUWAHATI: Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on Monday maintained that the state budget for the next fiscal year is focused on poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship development and inclusive growth.
She also claimed that the allocation for basic sectors like agriculture and education has increased and schemes have been planned for the sustainable development of the state.
Responding to the debate on the annual budget 2023-24 in the Assembly, which was presented by the minister on March 16, Neog said, “We have a threefold objective of poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship development and inclusive growth.”
The Neog had presented a budget of Rs 3.21 crore for the financial year 2023-24, announcing funds for promotion of micro-entrepreneurship and new recruitments in various departments.
Refuting the opposition’s allegation of reduction in budget allocation for basic sectors, Neog said funds for agriculture have increased by 19 percent.
In the education sector, allocations have increased by 54 percent, including Rs 2,500 crore in the Public Works Department’s budget for school construction.
“In 2021-22, we may spend Rs 1.60 lakh crore, thus crossing the Rs 1 lakh crore mark for the first time. In the current financial year, we have already spent Rs 1.80 lakh crore and more There will be an increase as the financial year is yet to end,” said Neog.
Asserting that employment generation was a major focus of the next fiscal year’s budget, Neog said the “biggest ever self-employment scheme” has been announced.
She said that we want to make our youth self-employed and also want to make them employers.
On the opposition’s allegation that the government was only trying to create beneficiaries, Neog maintained that the aim was to improve the standard of living of the economically weaker sections and ensure equitable development.
“We are ensuring a dignified standard of living for all sections and all our schemes will complement this endeavour,” the minister added.
