Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday presented the last full-fledged budget of the present government.

The minister, dressed in traditional Moran attire, said the budget laid the foundation of a “resurgent Assam” with focus on responsible fiscal management, impetus in expenditure on public infrastructure, inclusive development of all citizens with special emphasis on women, farmers, youth and the differently-abled.

Sarma on Friday joined the league of leaders from the state who have presented five full budgets on the trot.

Sarma said when the BJP-led government came to power, Assam’s fiscal health was “plagued by policy paralysis and misguided priorities” in the last few years of the previous regime.

“There are no new tax proposals in the Assam budget 2020. In fact, the matter that is most gratifying to me is that despite rapid increase in expenditure, this is my fifth straight budget where there are no enhancements of tax rates. We’ve also abolished taxes for certain items like specified land cess in a phased manner. We’ve also kept in abeyance levy and payment of tax on green tea leaves under the Assam Taxation (On Specified Land) Act, 1990 for a period of three years till December 31, 2021,” he said.

He said spending under the BJP government had set new benchmarks every year, crossing the Rs 50,000 crore mark for the first time in 2016-17, Rs 60,000 crore mark in 2017-18 and Rs 70,000 crore in 2018-19 (provisional estimates). He said during the last three years of the BJP government, the state’s expenditure had increased by almost 70 per cent, compared to the expenditure growth achieved in 2015-16. “I would like to start with the gross state domestic product, which is a broad indicator of the state’s financial health. Despite sluggish growth across the globe and slowdown of the Indian economy, Assam achieved an impressive growth rate. The average annual growth rate in respect to GSDP at current prices between fiscals 2016-17 and 2019-20 (BE) was 12.38 per cent. Even at constant prices, we have grown much faster than the national average,” he said.

To promote eco-friendly transportation in the state, the budget said all electric vehicles registered in the name of women would be exempted from registration fees. Taxes on petrol and diesel will also be decreased by 50 paise.

“Under the Yuva Arohan scheme, the government aims to develop entrepreneurial mindset among youths for a resurgent Assam. Entrepreneurship will be made a curricular subject from class XI, besides allotting grants for real life projects,” he said. Seven new government colleges, a new university, two new medical colleges and a new Ayurvedic college will be set up in the state. Under Arunodoi scheme, annually Rs 10,000 will be granted to 27 lakh poor households through direct benefit transfer.

Sarma said the state budget is expected to be a boon for nearly 40 lakh families. It included schemes that are expected to take the state towards progress and development. (See chart)

Chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed the state budget 2020-21 as pro-people and one which would adequately reflects the aims and aspirations of the people. He said the budget would benefit all sections of people, stimulate development and lend equal dignity and growth to all.

“The budget has provided steps to catapult social, economic and educational empowerment along with providing social security to all in the state,” Sonowal said.

The Opposition, however, said the budget was filled with sops and fuljharis (sparks) but had nothing productive for the people of the state. “What’s new in this budget? It doesn’t even talk about the biggest problem of unemployment in the state,” former chief minister Tarun Gogoi said.