Assam Budget 2024-25 – Highlights and Analysis

Highlights of Assam Budget 2024-25 – Detailed Analysis and Important Points

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Highlights of Assam Budget 2024-25

Assam Finance Minister, Ms. Ajanta Neog presented the state’s ₹774.47 cr deficit annual Budget for the financial year 2024-25 on February 12, 2024. With no new taxes proposed,  Neog mentioned that the total budget for the coming financial year will be ₹2.9 lakh crore.

Budget estimates for 2024-25 show receipt of ₹143,605.56 crore under consolidated fund of the state. With receipt of ₹144,550.08 crore under public account and ₹2,000 crore from contingency fund, the aggregate receipts amount to ₹290,155.65 crore. The minister mentioned that total expenditure from the consolidated fund in 2024-25 is estimated at ₹143,890.62 crore.

Important Policies/Yojana announced in Assam Budget 2024-25

Punya Tirtha Yojana: Among the budget’s key highlights was the announcement of Punya Tirtha Yojana scheme to send 25,000 pilgrims to visit the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, with an earmarked budget of ₹25 crore.

Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina: The government will support 10 lakh girls with financial grants as admission incentives for their higher education. Each girl student who joins class 11 will receive One-time incentives of ₹10,000 and those joining first year of graduation will be given ₹12,500. One-time incentives of Rs 15,000 will be paid to 10 lakh girl students for joining post-graduation (first year). This will be available for students taking admission in government colleges and institutions. A total outlay of ₹240 crore has been allocated for this in the budget. Aimed at eliminating child marriages, the incentive is only for unmarried girls who study in any government-run educational institution.

Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan: A minimum amount of Rs 47,500 will be provided to each woman member of self-help groups in rural and urban areas. This will be provided by a combination of grant, subsidy, and loan.

Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin): 13,000 houses each will be allocated to eligible beneficiaries from tea garden communities and poorest of poor beneficiaries who were not included under the socio-economic caste census.

Rooftop solar: All new private and public buildings constructed in Assam will have to mandatorily install rooftop solar facility.

Farm mechanisation: The state government will distribute power tillers, tractors, threshers, and other farm equipment to support agricultural activities.

Social Equity in Government Recruitment: To bring social equity in Govt recruitment for all grade III and grade IV posts without compromising the quality of selection, from the 2024-25 fiscal, the government will provide 5% weightage in total marks to job applicants from families without any member in government service.

Safeguard for iconic sites: Budget proposals included bringing in legislation to ensure that the land surrounding “iconic and heritage locations” in Barpeta, Batadrava, Majuli, and Narayanpur is transferred only to indigenous persons or institutions. The move is to “safeguard the cultural significance” of these places.

Mukhya Mantri Sangrahalaya: The government has also decided to set up ‘Mukhya Mantri Sangrahalaya’ in Guwahati to document the legacies of all former Chief Ministers of the State.

 

ASHTADASH MUKUTOR UNNOYONEE MAALA:

Flagship Schemes 2024-25

  • Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina (MMNM)
  • Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan
  • Orunodoi 2.0 – Expanding and More Inclusive
  • Assam Micro Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme – Category III 
  • Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Assam Abhijan
  • One Lakh Plus Jobs
  • Projects for Amrit Kaal
  • Creating Growth Corridors
  • Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin)
  • Innovative integration of wetlands with River Brahmaputra
  • Green Growth for Greener Assam
  • Welfare of Tea Tribe Community 
  • Quest for Cultural Identity
  • Punya Tirth Yojana – Ayodhya Pilgrimage
  • Future for Children
  • Khel Maharan and Youth Clubs in 126 LACs 
  • Global Investors’ Summit in November, 2024 
  • Mukhya Mantri Sangrahalaya

 

Major Announcements for FY 2024-25

  • Reservation for Agniveers in Assam Police 
  • Self-sufficiency in egg, milk and fish production 
  • Promotion of small tea growers
  • Start-up Mission 
  • Setting up of Training Centre at Padmashree Hemaprova Chutia’s residence 
  • PM Vishwakarma Yojana 
  • Farm Mechanization 
  • Rooftop solarisation 
  • Climate Action 
  • Amrit-Guwahati Integrated Global City (Amrit-GiG City)
  • Ayushman Asom : A comprehensive healthcare initiative 
  • Comprehensive School health Programme under Chief Minister’s Ayushman Asom 
  • Village and Community Outreach Programme for MBBS Students in Assam under Chief Minister’s Ayushman Asom 
  • Championing Digital Transformation & Artificial Intelligence 
  • Gyan-Dhara – Integrating virtual reality technology with for experiential learning 
  • Third Assam Bhawan in New Delhi 
  • Standing with our employees – Apun Ghar, Apun Bahan 
  • Supporting the Employees of Different Societies (Ex-Gratia) 
  • Jeevika Sakhi Express 
  • Monthly remuneration to honorary Gaon Pradhans in the Forest areas 

 

Expenditures & Receipts of Govt of Assam

  • Expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2024-25 is estimated to be Rs 1,36,699 crore, a decrease of 9% from the revised estimates of 2023-24. In addition, debt of Rs 7,192 crore will be repaid by the state.
  • Receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2024-25 are estimated to be Rs 1,14,165 crore, a decrease of 5% as compared to the revised estimate of 2023-24.
  • Revenue surplus in 2024-25 is estimated to be 0.3% of GSDP (Rs 1,852 crore), as compared to a revenue deficit of 0.2% of GSDP (Rs 1,396 crore) at the revised estimate stage in 2023-24. Assam had budgeted a revenue surplus of 0.5% of GSDP in 2023-24.
  • Fiscal deficit for 2024-25 is targeted at 3.5% of GSDP (Rs 22,534 crore). In 2023-24, as per the revised estimates, fiscal deficit is expected to be 5.2% of GSDP.

 

Receipts in 2024-25 

  • Total revenue receipts for 2024-25 are estimated to be Rs 1,11,944 crore. Of this, Rs 43,020 crore (38%) will be raised by the state through its own resources, and Rs 68,924 crore (62%) will come from the centre. Resources from the centre will be in the form of state’s share in central taxes (36% of revenue receipts) and grants (26% of revenue receipts). 
  • Devolution: In 2024-25, state’s share in central taxes is estimated at Rs 40,000 crore.
  • Grants from the centre in 2024-25 are estimated at Rs 28,924 crore.

 

Assam’s own tax revenue


Assam’s total own tax revenue is estimated to be Rs 34,148 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 13% over the revised estimate of 2023-24. Own tax revenue as a percentage of GSDP is estimated at 5.3% in 2024-25, same as the revised estimates for 2023-24. As per the actual figures for 2022-23, own tax revenue as a percentage of GSDP was 5%.

In 2024-25, State GST is estimated to be the largest source of own tax revenue (50% share).

 

Assam’s expenditure on key sectors

  • Education: Assam has allocated 17% of its expenditure on education in 2024-25. This is higher than the average allocation for education by states in 2023-24 (14.7%). 
  • Health: Assam has allocated 6.1% of its total expenditure towards health, which is broadly similar to the average allocation for health by states (6.2%). 
  • Rural development: Assam has allocated 3.7% of its expenditure on rural development. This is lower than the average allocation for rural development by states (5%). 
  • Roads and bridges: Assam has allocated 7% of its expenditure towards roads and bridges. This is higher than the average allocation towards roads and bridges by states (4.6%). 
  • Agriculture: Assam has allocated 4.5% of its total expenditure towards agriculture. This is lower than the average expenditure on agriculture by states (5.9%). 
  • Irrigation: Assam has allocated 2.8% of its total expenditure towards irrigation, which is lower than the average allocation by states (3.4%).

 

Deficits, Debt, and FRBM Targets for 2024-25

The Assam Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005 provides annual targets to progressively reduce the outstanding debt, revenue deficit and fiscal deficit of the state government. 

Revenue balance: It is the difference of revenue expenditure and revenue receipts. A revenue deficit implies that the government needs to borrow to finance those expenses which do not increase its assets or reduces its liabilities. The budget estimates a revenue surplus of Rs 1,852 crore (or 0.3% of the GSDP) in 2024-25. 

Fiscal deficit: It is the excess of total expenditure over total receipts. This gap is filled by borrowings by the government and leads to an increase in total liabilities. In 2024-25, the fiscal deficit is estimated to be 3.5% of GSDP. For 2024-25, the central government has permitted fiscal deficit of up to 3.5% of GSDP to states, of which 0.5% of GSDP will be available upon carrying out certain power sector reforms. As per the revised estimates, in 2023-24, the fiscal deficit of the state is expected to be 5.2% of GSDP. This is higher than the budget estimate of 3.7% of GSDP. Fiscal deficit is projected to be lowered to 1.4% of GSDP by 2029-30. 

Outstanding debt: Outstanding debt is the accumulation of total borrowings at the end of a financial year. At the end of 2024-25, the outstanding debt is estimated to be 25.2% of GSDP, higher than the budget estimate for 2023-24 (24.4% of GSDP).

Outstanding Government Guarantees: Outstanding debt of states do not include a few other liabilities that are contingent in nature, which states may have to honour in certain cases. State governments guarantee the borrowings of State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs) from financial institutions. As of March 31, 2023, the state’s outstanding guarantee is estimated to be Rs 1,167 crore, which is 0.2% of Assam’s GSDP in 2022-23.

 

GREEN BUDGETING

Green Budgeting is a Public Finance Management (PFM) tool to enable evidence and output based budgeting towards achieving climate and sustainability targets allowing for effi cient resource allocation towards Climate Change mitigation, adaptation, and environment sustainability. 

A Green Budget contributes to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 7 (Aff ordable and Clean Energy), and other SDGs, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and other national and state commitments. Green Budget share is 10.02% of total budget of 18 key departments amounting to Rs. 4636 Crore in FY 2024-25.

 

Highlights of Assam Economy 2024

The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam for 2024-25 (at current prices) is projected to be Rs. 6,43,089 crore, amounting to growth of 13% over 2023-24.

In 2022-23, Assam’s GSDP (at constant prices) is estimated to grow by 10.2% over the previous year. In comparison, India’s GDP is estimated to grow by 7.2% in 2022-23.

Sectors contribution: In 2022-23, agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors are estimated to contribute 35%, 19%, and 45% of Assam’s economy, respectively (at current prices).

Per capita GSDP: In 2022-23, Assam’s per capita GSDP (at current prices) is estimated to be Rs 1,36,819, an increase of 17% over 2021-22. In 2022-23, India’s per capita GDP is estimated to increase by 15% over 2021-22 to Rs 1,96,983.

Important MCQ Questions on Assam Budget 2022-23

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Earlier Assam Budgets

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Assam Budget 2023-24 – Highlights and Analysis

Highlights of Assam Budget 2023-24 – Detailed Analysis and Important Points

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Highlights of Assam Budget 2023-24

Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on 16 March, 2023 presented the state budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 at the Assam Legislative Assembly.

Assam Budget 2023-24 Highlights
  • Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam for 2023-24 (at current prices) is projected to be Rs 5.67 lakh crore, amounting to growth of 15% over 2022-23. 
  • Expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2023-24 is estimated to be Rs 1,35,348 crore.  In addition, debt of Rs 4,407 crore will be repaid by the state. 
  • Receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2023-24 are estimated to be Rs 1,14,392 crore, an increase of 2.3% as compared to the revised estimate of 2022-23.
  • Revenue surplus in 2023-24 is estimated to be 0.5% of GSDP (Rs 2,748 crore), whereas a revenue deficit of 3% of GSDP is estimated for 2022-23 (revised estimate).
  • Fiscal deficit for 2023-24 is targeted at 3.7% of GSDP (Rs 20,957 crore).
  • Per capita income: In 2022-23, Assam’s per capita income (at current prices) is estimated to be Rs 1,18,504, an increase of 15% over 2021-22.  In 2022-23, India’s per capita income is estimated to increase by 14% to Rs 1,70,620.
  • In 2021-22, Assam’s unemployment rate was 4.9%, lower than the national unemployment rate of 6.6%. 


Assam Budget Estimates for 2023-24
  • Total expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2023-24 is targeted at Rs 1,35,348 crore. This expenditure is proposed to be met through receipts (excluding borrowings) of Rs 1,14,392 crore and net borrowings of Rs 20,645 crore.  Total receipts for 2023-24 (other than borrowings) are expected to register an increase of 2.3% over the revised estimate of 2022-23.
  • Capital outlay for 2023-24 is proposed to be Rs 23,822 crore. Capital outlay indicates the expenditure towards creation of assets.
Assam Govt Receipts in 2023-24
  • Total revenue receipts for 2023-24 are estimated to be Rs 1,14,085 crore, an increase of 2% over the revised estimate of 2022-23. Of this, Rs 37,012 crore (32%) will be raised by the state through its own resources, and Rs 77,072 crore (68%) will come from the centre.
  • Devolution: In 2023-24, state’s share in central taxes is estimated at Rs 31,951 crore.
  • Grants from the centre in 2023-24 is estimated at Rs 45,121 crore.
  • State’s own tax revenue: Assam’s own tax revenue is estimated to be Rs 30,002 crore in 2023-24, an increase of 20% over the revised estimate of 2022-23.
  • In 2023-24, State GST is estimated to be the largest source of own tax revenue (52% share). 
  • Sales tax/VAT constitutes 26% of Assam’s own tax revenue.
  • Revenue from state excise, taxes on vehicles, and stamps duty and registration fees is expected to increase by 29%, 16%, and 21% respectively in 2023-24 as compared to the revised estimate for 2022-23.

Important MCQ Questions on Assam Budget 2022-23

 

Important Points from Assam Budget 2023-24

 
Employment & Entrepreneurship Sector
  • A scheme will be launched to promote micro-entrepreneurs for creating self-employment opportunities in trading, manufacturing, service, food processing, handloom, handicraft, agriculture, and allied activities.
  • ₹1000 crore has been allocated in this budget to the Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission. The Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission scheme proposes to promote microentrepreneurship among families below the poverty line and low income-households.  Under the scheme, seed capital of two lakh rupees each will be given to one lakh beneficiaries.  The sectors covered under the scheme will include manufacturing, food processing, and handicraft.  A further one lakh youth entrepreneurs will be provided project-based subsidies.
  • The Assam Government aims to complete the recruitment of another 40,000 candidates by May 10, 2023.
Governance Sector
  • The legislation will be introduced to ensure the mobility of government personnel from one department to another for optimum utilization of manpower. Though the employee will continue to be on payroll of his department, his services can be effectively utilized by others.
Sports Sector
  • The state government has proposed to allocate Rs 200 crore for the development of the sports sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the construction of new sports facilities and the up-gradation of existing ones.
Road Infrastructure Development Sector
  • Under the Asom Mala project, the state government will construct and repair around 5,000 km of roads and bridges at an estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore.
Tourism Sector
  • An additional sum of Rs 100.02 Crs has been allocated in this budget towards the development of the tourism sector of the state. The transformation and Development Department has been given Rs 645.37 Cr towards the holistic development of the villages of the state.
Handloom & Textiles Sector
  • The Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 100 crore for the development of the handloom and textile sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the up-gradation of existing handloom clusters and the establishment of new ones.
Development & welfare Sector
  • The Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 1,000 crore for the Mukhya Mantri Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (MMSGU) to ensure the holistic development of rural areas in the state.
  • Mission for Prevention of Child Marriage:  All Gram Panchayat Secretaries will be designated as Child Marriage Prevention Officers.  These officers will ensure prohibition of child marriages, protection of victims, and prosecution of offenders.  The scheme aims to make Assam free of child marriage by 2026.
  • New ration cards will be issued to select 40 lakh new beneficiaries under NFSA, and ₹404.94 crores have been allocated for this.
  • Rs 200 Cr was earmarked towards the prevention of child marriages in the state. 
  • More than 20 lakh houses have already been geo-tagged under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), out of which 15.5 lakh households are eligible. Assam Government received the sanction for 3.3 lakh houses as of now from the Government of India.
  • Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana: In the year 2023-24, 1 lakh beneficiaries will be covered under this scheme, and ₹800 crore allocated towards this.

Education Sector
  • In order to boost health care facilities along with medical education our government has decided to start functioning of three more new Medical Colleges at Kokrajhar, Nalbari and Nagaon from the next academic session 2023.
  • Another four new Medical Colleges are coming up at Tinsukia, Charaideo,
    Bishanath and one at Kamrup(M) district and construction of the same is going on at a rapid pace.
  • In addition to these, construction of another eight new Medical Colleges at Karimganj, Goalpara, Tamulpur, Bongaigaon, Dhemaji,
    Morigaon, Golaghat and Sibsagar have been taken up by the Government.
  • Apart from that, MBBS and PG (MD/MS) seats have been increased considerably (1500 seats for MBBS, 722 seats for PG course and 46 seats for DM/M.Ch in various super specialty disciplines).
  • Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 500 crore for the development of the education sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for various initiatives such as the construction of new schools, the up-gradation of existing schools, and the introduction of new courses in higher education. ₹1 crore will be provided to 500 High Schools for furniture, smart classrooms, teaching learning 16 materials and sports infrastructure.
  • upgradation of 214 high schools to higher secondary level. Improvement of the infrastructure of the existing educational institutions including schools and colleges was also mentioned along with the creation of 6 engineering colleges and 8 polytechnics.
  • With a focus on improving the education infrastructure in our tea garden areas, another 100 new Tea garden High schools will be taken up this year. To fund this, Assam Government to pool resources from various schemes; such as PM-DeVINE, RIDF, NESIDS and State Budget.
  • Students securing 1st rank in class IX will be provided with tablets which will be connected with a central agency providing educational material and mentorship. – Assam Government to provide Free Bicycle to all the students studying in Class-IX in Government and Provincialized Secondary Schools. 
  • Providing free text-books and textbook assistance to students upto graduation.
  • Hostel mess dues waiver of a maximum ₹2000 per month for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in degree and polytechnic colleges.
  • Scooty to all meritorious boys and girls who secure first division in the higher secondary examination
  • Mobility grant of ₹10,000 per year to post-graduate students- excluding medical students – Admission fee waiver to all BPL students.
  •  Scholarship to students belonging to SC, ST, minority and tea-garden community – Abhinandan Scheme – Assam Government to continue to provide interest subvention on educational loans to our students.
  • Assam Government to upgrade Sibsagar college, Kokrajhar Government college, Bongaigaon college, Jagannath Barooah College in Jorhat, North Lakhimpur College, Handique Girl’s college, Nagaon College and Gurucharan college in Silchar into universities by introducing enabling legislations.
  • A new University by the name- of Shahid Kanaklata Barua State University will be established at Gohpur, as a tribute to the great freedom fighter of Assam and to further improve the standards of higher education in the North Bank.
  • A satellite campus of Bodoland University will be established in Udalguri.
Healthcare Sector
  • Assam aims to become the hub of healthcare in Northeast India by 2026 and is setting up infrastructure accordingly.
  • Mukhya Mantri Ayushman Asom Yojana:  The Assam government is launching Mukhya Mantri Ayushman Asom Yojana to provide cashless treatment worth ₹5 lacks to 27 lakh additional families of the state. Health insurance coverage amounting to five lakh rupees would be extended to 27 lakh additional families, identified from the list of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013. ₹135 crore was allocated for this scheme.
  • And 1000 new ambulances will be provided to medical facilities across the state to serve the people. 
  • Assam Urban Health Mission (AUHM) to launch with an aim to provide affordable, accessible and quality healthcare for the urban population – The major components of the mission will include the identification of existing gaps, area-specific and need-based interventions, and extending primary healthcare services with a strong linkage to secondary and tertiary care services.
  • Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) or Newborn Stabilization Unit (NBSU) will be established in each such FRUs to take special care of sick newborns and low birth weight babies.
  • Focus will be also given to upgrading obstetric facilities at the secondary level. Immunization and free diagnostic facilities will be strengthened.
Agriculture Sector
  • The state government has proposed to allocate Rs 50 crore for the development of the sericulture sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the up-gradation of existing sericulture farms and the establishment of new ones.
  • exemption of electrical duty on renewable energy generation and a three-year tax holiday on agricultural income.
Heritage & Culture Sector
  • In this financial year, under Assam Darshan scheme, Assam Government proposed to cover 8000 new Namghars. The government also proposed to cover within it, religious institutions having higher tourist footfalls and where common festivals are celebrated. ₹2.5 lakh of fund per institution will be provided.
  • Further, under the revamped Assam Darshan scheme an amount of ₹15 lakh each will be provided for ancient religious institutions- Namghar, Mandir, Mosque, Church, Gurudwara which are more than 100 years old. ₹180 crore has been allocated for this scheme.
  • Drawing inspiration from Kashi-Vishwanath Corridor, Assam Government seeks to develop Kamakhya Corridor to ease the movement of devotees and enhance the ambience by connecting it with the Brahmaputra river.
Financial Assistance
  • The Assam government will launch the ‘Bhumiheen Rin Kosh’ scheme to provide financial assistance to landless people to purchase land for residential purposes. The scheme will cover 1 lakh beneficiaries and will have an allocation of Rs 500 crore.
  • The Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AFMIRS) has provided assistance worth ₹1,789 crores to around 10 lakh borrowers.
  • ₹500 crores has been earmarked to support stressed and destitute women borrowers, whose accounts have become Non-Performing Assets, as of March 31, 2021.
  • – Assam Government to further enhance Orunodoi entitlement by ₹150, making it ₹1400 per beneficiary per month by the end of this financial year. ₹3420 crore was earmarked for this scheme.
  • Assam Government subsuming ‘Indira Miri Universal Widow Pension Scheme’ and ‘Deen Dayal Dibyangjan Pension Achoni’ into Orunodoi, following the principle of ‘one family – one scheme’ to benefit the Antyodaya of the state. – With this, beneficiaries of these two schemes, presently receiving 300 Rs and 1000 Rs respectively, will get ₹1250 From 2023-24 onwards.
Fisheries Sectors
  • The state government has proposed to allocate Rs 100 crore for the development of the fishery sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the construction of new fish markets and the up-gradation of existing ones.
Tea Sectors
  • The Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 50 crore for the development of the tea sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the up-gradation of existing tea gardens and the establishment of new ones.
  •  Roadshows in major cities across the country as well as abroad to promote Assam Tea as a brand and showcase the rich socio-cultural heritage of tea garden communities to celebrate 200 years of Assam tea. Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme (ATISIS), 2020 will be further strengthened to incentivize the production of orthodox tea and speciality tea in Assam. Increase in the production subsidy for orthodox and speciality 19 tea from ₹7 to ₹10 per kg is already under process. 
  • Under the “Wage Compensation Scheme for Pregnant Women of Tea Garden Areas of Assam”, the compensation amount will be enhanced to ₹15,000 from the existing ₹12,000. 
  • For the construction of 500 Mahaprabhu Jagannath Community Hall cum Skill Centres in the prominent localities of tea gardens, our government has already made a provision for ₹200 crore in this year’s budget.
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Earlier Assam Budgets

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Assam Finance Commission – Assam Economy Notes for APSC Exam

Assam Finance Commission – Assam Economy Notes for APSC Exam

Assam Economy - Assam Exam
 

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Assam Finance Commission
  • The Assam Finance Commission was constituted on 23rd June, 1995.
  • The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves.
  • The Assam Finance Commission review the financial position of the Local Bodies namely the Panchayats and Municipalities and put forward to the Government the recommendations relating to the distribution between the State of Assam and the Panchayats / Municipalities of the nett proceeds of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees.
 
State Finance Commission (SFC)
 
The State Finance Commission (SFC) is a Constitutional body, formed under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. It recommends the transfer of funds from the State Government to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and provides suggestions for augmenting their resources. Municipalities and city councils are also brought under the purview of the State Finance Commission as per Article 243-Y.
 
  • The Governor of a State appoints a Finance Commission, every five years in accordance with Article 243-I of the Indian Constitution.
  • Every recommendation of the State Finance Commission and subsequent action taken by the State Government must be brought before the State legislature by the Governor.
Functions of State Finance Commission:
State Finance Commission’s functions are comparable to that of the Central Finance Commission, which, in accordance with Article 280 of the Indian Constitution, is appointed by the President of India and is in charge of allocating central revenues to the Union and state governments.
Some of the functions of the State Finance Commission are:
 
  • A State Finance Commission examines the financial position of the panchayats and municipal organizations in a state and offers recommendations to the Governor.
  • It gives suggestions to the Governor regarding the policies that should control how taxes, tariffs, levies, and toll fees collected by the state are divided between the state and its Panchayati Raj Institutions at all levels.
  • To implement numerous measures to enhance the financial conditions of various local authorities and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
  • To serve as a liaison for financial matters between the Union and State governments for local bodies.
  • The Grant-in-Aid to Local Bodies from the consolidated fund of the state.
  • Utilising the funds that the state government receives from the Union government.
  • Disbursement of funds from the State’s consolidated fund to various municipal organizations and Panchayati Raj Institutions of the state.
  • Measures for the overall advancement of Panchayat’s finances.

APSC CCE Prelim 2020 General Studies (GS) Paper 1 – Economy of India & Assam section Questions Analysis

APSC CCE Prelim 2020 General Studies (GS) Paper 1 Questions Analysis

Questions from Economy of India & Assam sections

Go to APSC CCE Prelim Previous Years Paper Analysis 

APSC prelims questions

Q5. The term Black Revolution in the present context of India is associated with

  1. Higher exportability of crude oil
  2. Self dependence in the production of crude oil
  3. Improvement in the quality of black soil
  4. Self dependence in milk production

Correct option: (B) Self-dependence in the production of crude oil

Black Revolution: To increase petroleum production, the Government planned to accelerate the production of ethanol and to mix it up with petrol to produce biodiesel. Ethanol is a renewable source of energy and is a by-product of sugar production produced from molasses. The blending of ethanol with petrol has been practiced in the USA and Brazil for over 70 years. The blending of ethanol with transport fuels would provide better returns to farmers, supplement scarce resources of hydrocarbons, and be environment-friendly by reducing pollutants as it helps combustion.

Topic to focus : Economic revolutions

 

Q23. Which statement among the following is not true about GST council?

  1. It is a statutory body
  2. It is chaired by the PM of the country
  3. It decides the rates of taxes on goods and services except some items
  4. It was constituted by the President of India

Correct option: (B) is not true

Union Finance Minister is the Chairman of the GST Council

In true sense, this Question is wrong.

GST Council is a constitutional body under Article 279A. It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to Goods and Service Tax and was introduced by the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.

The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.

Thus, both the option (A) and (B) are incorrect. But, if you have to choose one out of these, then its’ option (B).

Topic to focus : Economic bodies

 

Q24. The National Bamboo Mission strives to

(i) Increase the area under bamboo plantation in non-forest areas.

(ii) Rejuvenate the underdeveloped bamboo industry in India

(iii) Take over the sick paper mills in the country

(iv) Explore the export market for bamboo

  1. (i) and (ii)
  2. (i) and (iii)
  3. (i), (ii) and (iii)
  4. (i), (ii) and (iv)

Correct option: (A) (i) and (ii)

Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission

  1. To increase the area under bamboo plantations in non-forest Government and private lands to supplement farm income and contribute towards resilience to climate change as well as the availability of quality raw material requirement of industries. The bamboo plantations will be promoted predominantly in farmers’ fields, homesteads, community lands, arable wastelands, and along irrigation canals, water bodies, etc.
  2. To improve post-harvest management through the establishment of innovative primary processing units near the source of production, primary treatment and seasoning plants, preservation technologies, and market infrastructure.
  3. To promote product development keeping in view market demand, by assisting R&D, entrepreneurship & business models at micro, small and medium levels and feed bigger industry.
  4. To rejuvenate the underdeveloped bamboo industry in India.
  5. To promote skill development, capacity building, awareness generation for development of bamboo sector from production to market demand.
  6. To realign efforts so as to reduce dependency on import of bamboo and bamboo products by way of improved productivity and suitability of domestic raw material for industry, so as to enhance income of the primary producers.

Objective (nbm.nic.in)

Topic to focus : Economic Program/Missions

Q25. Which one of the following correctly describes Angel Tax

  1. A tax imposed on the super-rich people
  2. A tax relief for doing social work
  3. A type of capital gains tax imposed when startups receive funding, which is higher than the fair market value of shares sold.
  4. A tax relief given to startups for doing innovative work

Correct option: (C) A type of capital gains tax imposed when startups receive funding, which is higher than the fair market value of shares sold.

Angel Tax is a term basically used to refer to the income tax payable on the capital raised by unlisted companies via the issue of shares through off-market transactions. Angel tax is levied on the capital raised via the issue of shares by unlisted companies from an Indian investor if the share price of issued shares is seen in excess of the fair market value of the company. The excess realization is considered as income and therefore, taxed accordingly.

Topic to focus : Taxation types

 

ECONOMY – Assam

Q29. We often hear the term ‘CTC’ in the context of Assam Tea. What does CTC stand for?

  1. Crush, Tear, Curl
  2. Curl, Tear, Crush
  3. Check, thrash, curl
  4. Check, tear, curl

Correct option: (A) Crush, tear, curl

Crush, tear, curl is a method of processing black tea in which the leaves are passed through a series of cylindrical rollers with hundreds of sharp teeth that crush, tear, and curl the tea into small, hard pellets. This replaces the final stage of orthodox tea manufacture, in which the leaves are rolled into strips. Tea produced using this method is generally called CTC tea or mamri tea.

The first CTC machine was brought into service in 1930 at the Amgoorie Tea Garden in Assam under the supervision of Sir William McKercher.

Topic to focus : Assam Tea

 

Q32. Which of the following became the first state/UT in India to present an e-budget and stream it live on social media as well?

  1. Andhra Pradesh
  2. Kerala
  3. Assam
  4. Delhi

Correct option: (C) Assam

Andhra Pradesh is the first state to present its budget in the digital format in 2016. However, Assam is the first state to present e-budget and stream it live on social media.

Assam Budget 2018-19 – Highlights and Analysis – AssamExam

Topic to focus : Assam’s Financial Budget

Go to APSC CCE Prelim Previous Years Paper Analysis 

Economy of Assam MCQ Questions Set 2 – Assam Economy Quiz

Economy of Assam Quiz MCQ Questions Set 2

for APSC / Assam Recruitment exam Economy section Preparation

Go To Assam Economy MCQ Quiz Page                Go To Assam Economy Notes & Study Materials Page 

Q1. The first oil well dug at Digboi field in Assam in September 1889  and completed in November 1890 by which company?

  1. Assam Railways and Trading Company
  2. Assam Oil Company
  3. East India Company
  4. Assam Tea Company
a. Assam Railways and Trading Company

  • This was the first commercial discovery of crude oil in India the country. 
  • In 1901, Asia’s first oil refinery was set as Digboi.
  • Digboi has the distinction of being the world’s oldest continuously producing oilfield.

 

Q2. Assam’s rank among the Indian states, in terms of Crude Oil Production is

  1. First
  2. Second
  3. Third
  4. Fourth

c. Third

  • Rajasthan is largest producer of  crude oil production with approx 23.3% of India’s production
  • Gujarat comes second.

 

Q3. Which sector employs maximum share of total workforce in Assam?

  1. Agriculture sector
  2. Service sector
  3. Industrial sector
  4. Mining

a. Agriculture sector

Agriculture accounts for around two-third of Assam’s total workforce.

 

Q4. What is Assam’s GDP in 2022?

  1. ₹4.81 lakh crore
  2. ₹2.81 lakh crore
  3. ₹5.81 lakh crore
  4. ₹3.81 lakh crore

a. ₹4.81 lakh crore

 

Q5. What is Assam’s rank among the Indian states, in terms of GDP per capita rank?

  1. 28th
  2. 21st
  3. 18th
  4. 30th

a. 28th

TOP States in GDP per capita

1

Goa

2

Sikkim

3

Delhi

4

Chandigarh

5

Haryana 

 

Q6. Recently in 2022, Pineapple from which place of Assam has been exported to Dubai?

  1. Margherita
  2. Lakhipur
  3. Sadiya 
  4. Sonari

b. Lakhipur

 

Q7. What is Assam’s share in India’s total tea production?

  1. One-third
  2. Three-fourth
  3. More than half
  4. Almost 90%

c. More than half

  • Annual average production of tea in Assam is about 630- 700 million kg.
  • India ranks in global tea production? 2nd.  [1st China]

 

Q8. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about Assam Tea?

  1. Tea in Assam is grown in lowlands, unlike Darjeelings and Nilgiris, which are grown in the highlands
  2. Assam tea is generally harvested twice
  3. Assam’s tropical climate contributes to the unique malty taste of Assam tea
  4. All of the above

d. All of the above

 

Q9. Assam is known for producing both Orthodox as well as CTC variety of tea. CTC stand for?

  1. Curl, Tear & Crush
  2. Crush, Tear & Crush
  3. Crush, Tear & Crunch
  4. Crush, Tear & Curl

d. Crush, Tear & Curl

CTC Tea – At the start of the 20th century when tea drinking caught on in the UK,  British tea companies started experiments in Assam and the CTC method invented and used to the increase volume of tea. CTC is the acronym for Crush, Tear & Curl. It describes the factory process used to make the tea which is similar to that of orthodox tea manufacture but instead of the leaves being rolled as a final stage, they are passed through a series of cylindrical rollers with hundreds of small sharp “teeth” that Crush, Tear, and Curl the leaf into tiny little balls.

 

Q10. Makum Coalfield is located in which district of Assam?

  1. Karbi Anglong
  2. Lakhimpur
  3. Tinsukia
  4. Golaghat

c. Tinsukia

  • Makum coal mines are network of four opencast and underground mines operated by North Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India, with a capacity of 1 million ton-per-annum (MTPA)
  • The mines include: Tirap, Tikak, Ledo, and Tipong

Go To Assam Economy MCQ Quiz Page                                Go To Assam Economy Notes & Study Materials Page 

North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) – APSC Assam/NE Economy Notes

North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) – APSC Assam/NE Economy Notes

Assam Economy - Assamexam

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North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC) was incorporated on 31.03.1977 under the Companies Act, 1956, to promote the indigenous crafts of the North-East region by connecting craftsmen to prospective markets and generating economic, cultural and social opportunities for creators while adding cultural value for consumers.

The NEHHDC is a ‘Schedule C’ Central Public Sector Enterprise in Trading and Marketing services sector under administrative control of Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER), Government of India.

  • Its Registered and Corporate offices are in Shillong, Meghalaya.
  • The authorised and paid up capital of the Company was Rs.8.50 crore each as on 31.03.2017.
  • The shareholding of the Government of India in the company is 100%.

It offers a range of products from all the eight North Eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

It procures handicrafts and handlooms from artisans and weavers across the region and sale them through its chain of “Purbashree” Emporia located at various locations of Shillong, Guwahati, Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.

Additionally it also promotes the crafts of the region at various national and international trade fairs and exhibitions. It also conducts training programmes and seminars for skill, craftsmanship and knowledge upgradation of the artisans and weavers.

Main objectives of the NEHHDC

  • Providing financial, technical and other assistance to craftsmen, weavers, co-operatives and other establishments
  • Establish, operate and promote Sales Centres, like emporia, show-rooms, publicity offices and exhibition cells for improving accessibility of the goods.
  • Organise production through co-operatives, artisans or its own production centres
  • Promote and operate schemes for development of handicrafts, handlooms and allied products
  • Training and skill upgradation

Why NEHHDC important

Considering the richness of forest produce and the diversity of tribes in the area, the North East region boasts of a wide range of handicrafts. The region also have thick forest and small scale production of indigenous crafts from these forest resources is an important component of their economy. The population consists of a significant percentage of tribal people who possess immense traditional knowledge and craftsmanship in handicrafts and handlooms. The North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) aims to preserve this rich heritage and making it productive for the economy.

The North East Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation undertakes activities such as

  • Monetary support to help meet the cost of production
  • Technical training workshops to improve/modernise the production process
  • Capacity building and skill upgradation programmes to boost production
  • Create and operate sales promotion centres and showrooms to showcase the products
  • Encourage artisans to engage with cooperatives or the corporation’s own production centres
  • Launch and implement schemes based on the needs of the handicrafts and allied products sector

Purbashree’ Emporia

‘Purbashree’ Emporia has been established as sales centres to encourage purchase among consumers. They source products from craftsmen and stock them for sales. These emporia are located in Guwahati, Shillong, New Delhi and Kolkata. There are two sales promotion offices located at Chennai and Bangalore, to promote northeastern handicrafts in the southern states and at urban centres.

Design Bank

The North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Development Corporation operates a design bank to promote innovation and facilitate customisation of products. It displays an array of designs for the clients to choose from and Artisan groups and entrepreneurs have the option of buying designs for making their handicrafts and handloom products. It offers a platform for the designers to showcase and update their skills.

Samanvay Portal

NEHHDC is a part of Samanvay, a knowledge management portal for CPSEs across India that also works as a search engine. To gather information and share ideas regarding employee experiences, documents, standard operating procedures, and other processes.

The NEHHDC offers a range of services for the benefit of the craftspeople, like Exhibitions, Craft bazaars and Special trade expos, to showcase the beauty and utility of northeastern handicrafts.

Northeastern crafts museum

This museum exhibits artefacts and traditional crafts from across the north-east region.

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North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) (APSC Assam Economy Notes)

North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) (APSC Assam Economy Notes)

Assam Economy - Assamexam

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North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC)

The NERAMAC Limited was incorporated in the year 1982 as a marketing organization in the field of Agri-Horti sector of the North-eastern region, under the administrative control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). Its registered office is located at Guwahati.

It is a Government of India Enterprise operating under the administrative control of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER). NERAMAC is a pioneer marketing organization in the field of Agri-Horti sector of the North-eastern region, involved in supporting farmers right from the fields and upto the markets to the end consumers through registered FPO/FPCs.

It was set up to support farmers/producers of North East getting remunerative prices for their produce and thereby bridge the gap between the farmers and the market and also to enhance the agricultural, procurement, processing and marketing infrastructure of the Northeastern Region of India.

NERAMAC is continuously making all efforts for the development of the farmers of the region and double their income by the end of 2022.

The Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) laid the foundation stone of NERAMAC marketing complex in Guwahati, Assam. The marketing complex will be a destination to showcase the products of the North-Eastern region.

Role of North Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation ( NERAMAC)

  • The main role of NERAMAC is to purchase the marketable surplus of fruits and vegetables from the growers of the North East, to make necessary arrangement for its processing and marketing and to support farmers and producers through input supplies for better productivity under the aegis of Central Sector Schemes.
  • It associated with the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) for development of food processing in the NE region apart from involving itself in Central Sector schemes like Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
  • It has also taken up assignment to co-ordinate and assist in attracting investment, create awareness on food processing and to assist MoFPI in administering the National Mission on Food Processing in the North East.
  • NERAMAC has sponsored a Techno-Economic Feasibility Study to look at the feasibility for setting up collection and procurement Centres of agro-horticulture commodities viz. Pineapple, Orange, Ginger, Apple, Kiwi and Passion fruit in nine places viz. Diphu, Haflong, Krishnai (Assam), Bomdila, Roing (Arunachal Pradesh), Churachandpur (Manipur), Vairangte (Bhaga) in Mizoram, Nongpo and Phulbari (Meghalaya).

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Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Budget 2020-21 – Highlights and Analysis

Highlights of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Budget 2020-21

– Detailed Analysis and Important Points – 

Download Assam Budget 2020-21 Highlights PDF |  Get Assam 2020 Yearbook PDF 

Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Budget 2020-21

The Chief Executive Member (CEM) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Tuliram Ronghang presented Rs 38.97 crore deficit budget for the year 2020-21 for the council.

An estimated expenditure is proposed at Rs. 225 crore (including HUDCO share of Rs. 40 crore) for the fiscal to carry out developmental activities, against the total estimated receipt of Rs. 146 crore (excluding HUDCO share of Rs.40 crore arpox.) leading to a deficit of Rs. 39 crore for the financial year 2020-21.

  • The KAAC revenue is derived from own sources as well as from State government and Government of India in the form of Grant-in-Aid and administrative charges. 
  • The Council’s main sources of revenue are derived mostly from forest products, entry tax, professional tax, trade callings, land revenue, share of motor vehicle tax, sale proceeds from weekly markets, ghats, fisheries and cattle pounds. Also other sources of revenue are sale of district council receipt, court fee stamps and royalty from mines and minerals etc.
  • In order to increase the revenue kitty, the CEM also proposed new fee hike on trading license, transfer of land and other trades.
  • The KAAC is likely to receive an amount of Rs 50 crore of administrative charges and share of motor vehicle tax from the state government. Similarly, the KAAC would receive excise and export revenues from 2021
  • The MAC development fund has been increased to Rs 30 lakh from Rs 15 lakh. The state government has assured that the excise and export revenues will be handed over to the KAAC fully and the amount may touch Rs 100 crore from April next year.

Main features of the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Budget 2020-21
  • An amount of Rs. 180.00 lakhs has been proposed for pension of living ex-Member of Autonomous Council (MAC) of Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council.
    Revenue receipt for 2020-2021 expected to get by Rs.1740.00 lakhs from Forest products.
    Under Major Works budget provision been made available of Rs.700 lakhs and constituency development fund for Rs.780 lakhs.
    MACs will be granted INR 30 lakh each for constituency development purposes.
  • Rs. 7 crore for major works, Rs 7.80 crore for constituency development;
  • Rs. 70 lakh to education department for scholarship and stipends for technical students (including IAS coaching);
  • Rs. 10 lakh for Centre for Studies in Karbi Language and Culture;
  • Rs. 50 lakh for Karbi Youth Festival;
  • Rs. 20 lakh for Karbi Lammet Amei;
  • Rs. 10 lakh for scholarship and stipends;
  • Rs. 10 lakh for purchase of vehicle for Karbi traditional king;
  • Rs. 3 lakh for TA & other allowances for Karbi traditional king and other customary heads;
  • Rs. 2 crore to urban development department for municipal and town committees;
  • Rs. 40 lakh for purchase of machinery and equipment; Under loans and advances,
  • Rs. 50 crore for construction of multi level parking at Diphu and multi storied commercial complex and KAAC Guest House at Diphu;
  • Rs. 7.50 crore for interest payment to HUDCO.

 Get Assam 2020 Yearbook PDF 


APSC Main 2020 Test Series - assamexam


Download Assam Budget 2020-21 Highlights PDF

18 Flagship Schemes (Ashtadash Mukutor Unnoyonee Maala) in Assam Budget 2020-21

Assam Budget 2019-20

Assam Budget 2018-19

Study Materials & Notes | Assam Current Affairs | Assam Current Affairs Quiz 

Assam Budget 2020-21 : Provisions for Barak Valley (Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi Districts)

Highlights of Assam Budget 2020-21 – Provisions for Barak Valley (Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi Districts)

Assam Budget 2020-21 Highlights - Assamexam

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Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the state budget for the financial year 2020-21 on 6th March, 2020 at the state Legislative Assam assembly. The budget aims to reduce regional imbalance among the various regions of the state and thus, it has proposed various programs and provisions for all the areas of the state. In this article we detailed about the Assam Budget 2020-21 provisions related to BaraK Valley region of Assam, which comprises of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi Districts.

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Assam Budget 2020-21 : Provisions for Barak Valley (Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi Districts)

MAJOR   ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Government of Assam has initiated the “Establishment of Mini Secretariat at Barak Valley, Silchar, Assam”.

A budget of Rs. 10 Crore earmarked to engage quality private health institutions in Barak Valley having the specialty branches like Cardiology, Neorology etc, under Public Private Partnership mode, to cater the medical necessities of these patients. This is done considering the medical needs of the patients from the three districts of Barak Valley, viz Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi, as Barak Valley has limited number of specialist facilities and insufficient beds in the Government institutions, including Silchar Medical College.

Govt announced the “Asom Darshan” scheme in Budget 2019-20 – a comprehensive scheme to develop tourist spots and religious places of all faiths of our sacred land of Assam, glorified by Kamrup- Kamakhya, Brahmaputra and Majuli and holy places like Bhubon Teertho in Barak Valley. Govt launch this auspicious scheme on 24th February 2020 in the presence of 915 spiritual heads of various institutions from across the State – from Majuli to Madhupur, Dhubri to Sadiya, Kamrup to Cachar & Karimganj and Dima Hasao to Bodo Territorial Region. As announced in Budget 2019-20, govt will continue to provide an additional Rs.2 Lakh Annuity grant to each of the Devalayas in Financial Year 2020-21 as well.

Within the Financial Year 2020-21, seven new Government Colleges, Borkhola in Cachar, Deaithor in Karbi Anglong, Kakopathar in Tinsukia, Katlicherra in Hailakandi, Lahorighat in Morigaon, Samaguri in Nagaon and Majer Alga in South Salmara, will be made functional as necessary posts for running these colleges have already been created.

Government is going to start five new polytechnics in the State at Morigaon, Udalguri, Tinsukia, Hailakandi and Chirang during the financial year 2020-21.

Govt is putting effort to select a suitable site for Karimganj Medical College.

Acting on this vision, the Department will organize ‘Border Festivalsat Guwahati, Tezpur, Jorhat, Hailakandi and Dhubri during Financial Year 2020-21.

Public Health Engineering Department is implementing the World Bank Funded Neer Nirmal Pariyojana, as part of this scheme water supply is being provided in a total of 63 Gram Panchayats covering 1.16 lakh households in the Districts of Kamrup (M), Jorhat and Hailakandi.

A one-time benefit extended to the students whose parents are employed with the Hindustan Paper Corporation (Nagaon & Cachar), and we will be releasing another tranche to about 3000 students within March 2020.

Assam Govt is going to bring in a legislation to make the teaching of Assamese as a compulsory subject in all English and other medium schools up to Class X. Education Department will bring the necessary bill during the current budget session to this effect. However, the proposed law will not apply for Barak Valley, Bodo inhabited areas and two hill districts administered by the sixth scheduled councils. Bring a law so that studying Assamese/ any regional languages in school a mandatory condition for securing a government job.

Assam Budget 2020-21 Highlights & Analysis

18 Flagship Schemes (Ashtadash Mukutor Unnoyonee Maala) in Assam Budget 2020-21

 Get Assam 2020 Yearbook PDF 

Assam Budget 2019-20

Assam Budget 2018-19

Study Materials & Notes | Assam Current Affairs | Assam Current Affairs Quiz 

Assam Budget 2020-21 – Highlights and Analysis

Highlights of Assam Budget 2020-21 – Detailed Analysis and Important Points

Assam Budget 2020-21 Highlights - Assamexam

Download Assam Budget 2020-21 Highlights PDF |  Get Assam 2020 Yearbook PDF 

Assam Budget 2020-21

Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma presented the state budget for the financial year 2020-21 on 6th March, 2020 at the state Legislative Assam assembly.  The Finance Minister informed that despite sluggish growth across the globe and slowdown of the Indian Economy, the state of Assam achieved an impressive average annual growth rate in respect to GSDP at current prices during the period 2016-17 to 2019-20 (BE) at 12.38%. Even at constant prices, Assam has grown much faster than the national average which is a notable achievement.

APSC Main 2020 Test Series - assamexam

 Get Assam 2020 Yearbook PDF 

Assam Budget 2020-21 : Highlights & Analysis

RECEIPTS

  • Revenue Receipt = Rs 91930 crore
  • Capital Receipt = Rs 13395 crore
  • Total Receipt = Rs 105246 crore

EXPENDITURE

  • Revenue Expenditure = Rs 82777 crore
  • Capital Expenditure = Rs 20985 crore
  • Total Expenditure =103762 crore

SURPLUS

  • Receipts – Expenditure = 105246 crore – 103762 crore = Rs 1484 crore

General Area v/s Sixth Schedule Area

  • Expenditure on General Areas = 97487 Crore
  • Expenditure on Sixth Schedule Area = 6275 Crore

MAJOR   ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Culture & Language

 

 Promotion of Assamese Language
  • Make the teaching of Assamese as a compulsory subject in all English & other medium schools up to Class X.
  • Education Department to bring necessary bill in current session
  • Proposed law not applicable for Barak Valley, Bodo inhabited areas and two hill districts administered by the sixth scheduled councils.
  • Bring a law so that studying Assamese/ any regional languages in school a mandatory condition for securing a government job.

 

 Initiative for Batadrava Than
  • Develop Batadrava Than in Nagaon district as a centre of art, culture, research and spirituality
  • Total cost of the project is Rs. 188 crores,
  • 50 Crores is allocated in first phase.
 Special Grant for Sivasagar – An Iconic Site of Assam
  • Develop Sivasagar as an ‘iconic’ sites. In collaboration with Government of India

 Bhasha Gaurav Asoni
  • Provide Budgetary allocation of Rs.50 Crore in 2020-21.

 

  Centre of Excellence for Digital Enablement of Assamese Language
  • Creation of a world class open source Operating System in Assamese.

 

  Celebrating different Traditional/Cultural Festival of Tribal Communities
  • Strengthening tribal cultures, traditions and beliefs
  • 50 Crores is earmarked for this purpose

Study Materials & Notes | Assam Current Affairs | Assam Current Affairs Quiz 


Banking & Finance 

APSC Main 2020 Test Series - assamexam

 Incentives for Rural Banks
  • Open up bank branches and ATMs in the unbanked areas.
  • An amount of Rs. 50 Crore is earmarked for Gap funding for banks to set up necessary infrastructure in the budget for the year 2020-21

 

 Resolution of issues plaguing the Micro-Finance Institutions
  • Government proposes to frame detailed guidelines for the operations of the MFIs in the state, to safeguard the interest of people.
  • Government propose to constitute a Microenterpreneurs Support Fund with a corpus of Rs. 500 Crores.

 

Education

 

  Educational Institutions Initiatives
  • Start five polytechnics at Morigaon, Udalguri, Tinsukia, Hailakandi and Chirang
  • Seven new Government Colleges, Borkhola in Cachar, Deaithor in Karbi Anglong, Kakopathar in Tinsukia, Katlicherra in Hailakandi, Lahorighat in Morigaon, Samaguri in Nagaon and Majer Alga in South Salmara.
  • New University Sati Sadhoni Rayjik Vishwavidyalaya in Golaghat District.
  • Two new Medical Colleges in Sonari and Biswanath Chariali
  • One new Ayurvedic College at Dudhnoi, Goalpara
  • One new Law College will be established in Kaliabor
  • To institute a Bani Kanta Kakoti Chair at Guwahati University.
  • Grants of Rs. 10 crore as corpus to Mahapurush Srimanta Shankardeva Viswabidyalaya.

 

 

Infrastructure 

 

 Chuburi Poka Rasta Asoni
  • Provide Rs. 20 Lakhs per Kilometer gap funding to P&RD department for construction of all-weather sustainable roads in hamlets.
  • Government propose to provide Rs. 20 lakhs per kilometre, as gap funding in Budget 2020-21
  • Construct 200 Km of roads on a pilot basis
  • 40 Crore earmarked for year 2020-21.

City Infrastructure Development Fund
  • Schemes under CIDF to be continued.
  • Overall Commitment of Rs.2300 Crore for 18 Cities across the State.
  • Necessary Fund Provision for carrying out required activity

 Uttoron
  • 300 Crores earmarked for execution of Signature Projects of Infrastructure development.

 

 Assam Adarsha Gram Yojan
  • Create ‘villages of excellence’ in each of the assembly constituencies.
  • Entry point activities to kickstart in right earnest

 

 Announcement regarding making annual patta land transferable
  • Initiated steps to bring legal changes to make annual patta land transferable.

 Indigenous Muslim Development Corporation
  • Create a Development Corporation for Indigenous Muslims of Assam.
  • Socio-economic census of these communities on a war footing.

 

Health & Welfare 

 

 PPP Partnership for Healthcare in Silchar
  • Engage quality private health institutions in Barak Valley with specialty branches like Cardiology, Neorology etc, under Public Private Partnership mode, to cater to the medical necessities of patients belonging to Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi districts.
  • An amount of Rs. 10 Crore is earmarked in the budget for the year 2020-21.

 Partnerships with reputed private hospitals to provide NICU and PICU services
  • Empanel all Private Health Institutions who have the necessary quality standards for Paediatric and Newborn Intensive Care Unit setup,
  • To provide quality care to infants and Newborns of BPL as well as low income APL families.
  • Private partner to be reimbursed for expenditure made.

 

 Sanitary Napkin Scheme
  • Free sanitary napkins to girls in Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools.
  • An amount of Rs. 25 crores is earmarked for this initiative.

APSC Main 2020 Test Series - assamexam

  Fighting Drug Menace
  • Establish of five de-addiction centres through partnerships with reputed NGOs.
  • Government to launch awareness drives in schools, colleges, Youth Clubs and amongst street children

 

 Shram-Gaurav Asoni
  • Improve the health and quality of life of the construction workers with the following salient features:
    • IT enabled registration of workers and mass registration drives.
    • Waiver of registration fees for workers.
    • Insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana.
    • Provide Rs. 3000 to each registered worker (<40 years) and Rs. 5000 to those who are above 40 years on DBT mode for annual medical check-up.
    • Provide one time grants of Rs. 5000 per registered workers on DBT mode for purchasing tools.

 

 Mega Awareness Drive against Social Evils
  • Assam Science Technology and Environment Council (ASTEC) to launch a mega awareness drive against all social evils in line with progressive, scientific thinking
  • An amount of Rs. 10 crores is earmarked for this novel initiative.

Study Materials & Notes | Assam Current Affairs | Assam Current Affairs Quiz 


Tea Sector 

 

  Tea Mission
  • Provide Orthodox production subsidy of Rs. 7 per kg, to cover 50% of price gap against International Prices
  • Provide subsidy on Orthodox machinery to manufacturing units of Orthodox tea commencing operations after 1.4.2020.
  • Launch a ‘Tea Mission’ to ensure Assam’s pre-dominance in Global Tea Industry & for long-term financial sustainability of Tea Industry in Assam.

Salaried Persons

 

 Employees Welfare Measures
  • Increase ex-gratia amount of Home Guard personnel by another Rs. 2 lakhs, to be funded by the state.
  • 2.5 lakhs as ex-gratia payment to next kin in case of unfortunate death of Muster Roll, Casual, Fixed Pay, Asha & Anganwadi workers.
  • Establish crèche with day care facilities at Assam Secretariat, Directorates and Deputy Commissioners’ offices.
  • Develop houses for employees on a Tri-partite agreement basis(Government-Employee—Builders).
  • Renovate the Secretariat Training School to make it comparable to the best in the country.
  • Promotional examinations for all grades of ministerial staff of Assam to be made online.
  • Bajali Sub-division to be upgraded to a full-fledged administrative district.

 

 Ration Increase for Police
  • Increase monthly ration support to Rs. 2000 to benefit 50,000 police personnel.

 

  Announcement on Teachers Transfer
  • Government will bring in a policy to ensure management and transfer of teachers of Elementary and Secondary Schools.
  • A legislation will be brought in the Assembly for this purpose

 Proactive filling of all sanctioned post in all departments
  • Finance Department to proactively to proposals regarding filling up of vacancies within 7 working days.

 

 Incentive schemes for frontline workers of Kaziranga, Manas and Orang National Park
  • Provide incentives to frontline staff of Kaziranga, Manas and Orang National Park the same scale as National Tiger Conservation Authority.

 

 Additional Honorarium to Mid-Day Meal Workers
  • 500 per month as an additional honorarium to Mid Day Meal worker
  • This will cost Rs. 36 Crore to the State Exchequer.

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Sports & Youth Development

 

 Positions in Civil Services for International Sporting Champions of Assam
  • Sports persons who win medals in Olympics, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games to be designated as Grade-I officers.
  • Hima Das to be the first recipient to be offered Deputy Superintendent of Police.
 Grassroot Olympics for all ages
  • Sports-tournaments to be held at Panchayat, Block, District and State levels for all age groups from 10 to 60 years, in Olympic disciplines.

 Grants for Registered Youth Clubs

  • Provide Grants amounting to Rs. 75,000/- per club, to 2500 Youth clubs in the State.

One-time Financial Assistance to 1000 leading Sport personnel, Artists and Mobile Theatre personalities

  • One-time cash incentive of Rs. 50,000 each to 1000 Sport personnel, 1000 Artists and 1000 Mobile theatre personalities.

 

Local Governance

 

 Establishment Grant for Gaon Burahs
  • One-time Establishment Grant of Rs. 10,000/- per Gaon Burah.
  • To undertake refurbishment, upgradation and modernization of office-space.

 

 Revamping Anganwadi Centre
  • Electricity to all Anganwadi Centre alongwith Gas Connection.
  • Convert existing Anganwadi Centre in Tea Gardens to Creches for young infants.

Tribal Development

 

 Bodo Accord and provision for the community

Government proposes the following measures in Bodoland Territorial Region

  • Convert Kokrajhar Music & Fine Arts College into a government college.
  • Establishment of Bodo Kachari Welfare Council for focussed development of Bodo villages outside BTAD
  • Earmarked a sum of 250 Crore per annum for three years to match equivalent sum to be provided by the Government of India
  • Establish a Directorate of Tribal and Bodo languages.
  • Undertake rehabilitation of Bodo ex-militants.

 

 Exclusion of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) from Assam State Capital Region Development Authority (ASCRDA)
  • Exclude Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) areas from the purview of the ASCRDA Act, 2017.
  • Guwahati Development Department (GDD) to bring necessary amendments to the legislation.

 Recognition and award of grants to tribal communities
  • Create an Autonomous Council for Koch Rajbongshi community, in the name of ‘Kamatapur Autonomous Council’.
  • 2 new Autonomous Councils for Moran and Mattak communities
  • Provide a fund of 500 Crore as Special package for Moran, Mattak, Chutia and Ahom communities.

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– Department wise Budget spending

  • Administrative Reforms and Training Department 73.9 crore
  • Agriculture Department 1515.9 crore
  • Animal Husbandry & Veterinary 408.6 crore
  • Assam Legislative Assembly Secretariat 139.1 crore
  • Border Protection and Development Department 71.2 crore
  • Co-operation Department 130.1 crore
  • Cultural Affairs Department 157.5 crore
  • Education (Elementary) Department 8795 crore
  • Education (Higher) Department 2512.3 crore
  • Education (Secondary) Department 5081.3 crore
  • Education (Technical) Department 392.7 crore
  • Election Department 279.9 crore
  • Environment & Forest Department 907.3 crore
  • Excise Department 73.4 crore
  • Finance Department 17363.4 crore
  • Fishery Department 97.1 crore
  • Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department 1227.7 crore
  • General Administration Department 720 crore
  • Governor Secretariat 10.7 crore
  • Guwahati Development Department 783.3 crore
  • Handloom, Textile & Sericulture Department 289.4 crore
  • Health and Family Welfare Department 6127.9 crore
  • Hill Areas Department 2155.2 crore
  • Home Department 5233.1 crore
  • Industries and Commerce Department 219.3 crore  
  • Information & Public Relation Department 93.9 crore
  • Information & Technology Department 49.4 crore
  • Irrigation Department 1592.1 crore
  • Judicial Department 556.8 crore
  • Labour& Welfare Department 95.8 crore
  • Legislative Department 17.2 crore
  • Mines & Minerals Department 23.9 crore
  • Panchayat& Rural Development Department 5508 crore
  • Pension & Public Grieviences Department 8510.3 crore
  • Personnel Department 21.6 crore
  • Political Department 713.2 crore
  • Power (Electricity) Department 2498.1 crore
  • Printing & Stationery Department 35.3 crore
  • Public Health Engineering Department 2681.1 crore
  • Public Works (Buildings & NH) Department 848 crore
  • Public Works (Roads) Department 8901.7 crore
  • Revenue and Disaster Management Department 2757 crore
  • Science & Technology Department 65.9 crore
  • Secretariat Administration Department 322.4 crore
  • Skill, Employment & Entrepreneurship Department 158.6 crore
  • Social Welfare Department 2151.3 crore
  • Soil Conservation Department 185.7 crore
  • Sports & Youth Welfare Department 174.4 crore
  • Tea Tribes Department 99.9 crore
  • Tourism Department 128.3 crore
  • Transformation & Development Department 2595.6 crore
  • Transport Department 540.1 crore
  • Urban Development Department 1755 crore
  • Water Resources (Flood Control) 948.8 crore
  • Welfare of Minorities Development Department 209.4 crore
  • Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes Department 4748.4 crore

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18 Flagship Schemes (Ashtadash Mukutor Unnoyonee Maala) in Assam Budget 2020-21

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Assam Budget 2019-20

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