Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday described the budget as “revenue neutral”, saying the govt’s revenue receipts were now enough to meet all committed revenue expenditure and borrowings could be used for capital creation.Speaking to reporters after finance minister Jayanta Mallabaruah presented his maiden budget in the assembly , Sarma said the fiscal plan reflected BJP’s poll promises and focused on employment, women empowerment, power, connectivity and agriculture.“It is a revenue-neutral budget. Salary, pension, interest payments and other committed liabilities, which constitute revenue expenditure, are balanced by revenue receipts. Capital expenditure and revenue expenditure are both adequately supported,” he said.CM also termed the budget “tax neutral”, adding that the only new levy proposed was the Green Cess, aimed at discouraging polluting practices and raising resources for environmental protection and climate resilience.Sarma said Assam’s capital expenditure rose nearly tenfold — from Rs 2,951 crore in 2015-16 to around Rs 29,000 crore in the current budget — reflecting the govt’s focus on long-term asset creation.He said around Rs 6,000 crore was earmarked to continue flagship welfare schemes, including Orunodoi and Mukhya Mantrir Nijut Moina, alongside the state’s industrial push.On industry, Sarma said the govt was working with JICA to build a semiconductor ecosystem around the upcoming Tata Electronics facility at Jagiroad. The proposed Rs 1,164-crore ecosystem will help local MSMEs become suppliers to the semiconductor sector.He also said AI modules would be introduced in phases across govt departments to improve governance and service delivery.Sarma reiterated that govt employees found practising polygamy in violation of service rules would face dismissal, while people with criminal antecedents would be barred from welfare schemes.
