Assam Budget 2020-21 - Summary
The following is a summary of the Assam Budget 2020-21. A more detailed version of the Assam Budget including details of the details of the various schemes can be found in our April 2020 edition of our current affairs monthly "IN THE NEWS" . Get it here
The Finance Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, presented the Budget for Assam for the financial year 2020-21 on March 6, 2020.
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
• The Gross State Domestic Product of Assam for 2020-21 (at current prices) is projected to be Rs 4,08,627 crore.
• This is a 12.4% increase over the revised estimate for 2019-20.
• Revenue surplus for 2020-21 is targeted at Rs 9,154 crore or 2.24% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
• Fiscal deficit is targeted at Rs 9,383 crore (2.3% of GSDP).
• In 2020-21, the sectors of Rural Development (45%), Agriculture (27%), Irrigation and flood control (25%), and Police (20%) saw the highest decrease in allocations over the revised estimate of the previous year
POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
Subsidy:
Income support of Rs 830 per month (Rs 400 for medicines and Rs 430 for vegetables and fruits) will be provided to 27 lakh families through direct benefit transfer mode.
Free rice will be provided to all beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, as part of the Anna Yojana initiative.
All households with monthly electricity consumption below 30 units will be provided free electricity.
Entrepreneurship:
Two lakh youth of the state will be covered under the revised Swami Vivekananda Youth
Empowerment Yojana to encourage youth to form entrepreneurial groups. Seed capital of Rs 50,000 will be provided to each member of such groups to initiateentrepreneurial activities.
Entrepreneurship will be introduced as a curriculum subject from Class 11 onwards covering all students enrolled in three-year degree courses.
Investment:
The state government will acquire additional shareholding in the Numaligarh Refinery Ltd to increase its stake from 12.35% currently to 26%. Rs 1,500 crore has been allocated for this investment
EXPENDITURE ON KEY SECTORS
Education:
Assam has allocated 19.2% of its expenditure on education in 2020-21.
This is significantly higher than the average budget allocation (15.9%) for education by states (using 2019-20 BE).
Health:
Assam has allocated 6.4% of its total expenditure on health, which is higher than the average allocation for
health by states (5.3%).
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Agriculture and allied activities:
The state has allocated 5% of its total budget towards agriculture and allied activities.
This is lower than the average allocations by states (7.1%)
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Rural development:
Assam has allocated 3.8% of its expenditure on rural development.
This is significantly lower than the average allocation for rural development by states (6.2%).
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Police:
Assam has allocated 4.7% of its total expenditure on police, which is higher than the average allocation for
police by states (4.1%).
Roads and bridges:
Assam has allocated 9.5% of its total expenditure on roads and bridges, which is significantly higher than the average allocation by states (4.2%)
MOTTO: RESURGENT ASSAM
This lays emphasis on the following fundamentals which have been
• Responsible fiscal management
• Impetus in expenditure on public infrastructure
• Inclusive development of all citizens with special emphasis on women, farmers, youth and differently-abled.
• Improving parameters on critical Health indices.
• Holistic approach to urban and rural development
• An emphasis on cultural and social renaissance of communities.
• Weaving the above objectives in the overall framework of the Sustainable Development Goals.
ATHADASHA MUKUTAR UNNOYONEE MALA
(NOTE : In the following, only the names of the scheme are mentioned. To get the full details under each scheme, download the April 2020 edition of our current affairs monthly IN THE NEWS here)
These 18 schemes are the flagship schemes of the Government of Assam. They have laid the foundation for not only growth and development but also equity and justice for the people of Assam.
I INCREASING STAKE OF ASSAM GOVERNMENT IN NUMALIGARH REFINERY LTD.
II ANNA YOJANA
III JYOTISMAN ASOM
IV REDESIGNED ‘SWAMI VIVEKANANDA YOUTH EMPOWERMENT YOJANA’ (SVAYEM)
V CHAH BAGICHA DHAN PURASKAR MELA
VI WELFARE SCHEMES FOR THE TEA TRIBES AND ADIVASI COMMUNITY
VII ARUNDHATI
VIII COMPREHENSIVE SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
IX VISTARITA KANAKLATA MAHILA SABALIKARAN ASONI
X ASOM MALA
XI PRAGYAN BHARATI
XII ASSAM CANCER CARE FOUNDATION
XIII BHRAMAN SARATHI
XIV ASOM DARSHAN
XV YUVA AROHAN
XVI SONALI SHAISHAB RUPALI PATHSHALA
XVII TEACHERS PROVINCIALISATION DRIVE
XVIII ORUNODOI
OTHER MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENTS
(NOTE : In the following, only the names of the titles are mentioned. To get the full details under each title download the April 2020 edition of our current affairs monthly IN THE NEWS here)
I Bodo Accord
II Recognition and award of grants to tribal communities
III Exclusion of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council (RHAC) from Assam State Capital Region Development Authority (ASCRDA)
IV Promotion of Assamese Language
V Announcement regarding making annual patta land transferable
VI Indigenous Muslim Development Corporation
VII One-time Financial Assistance to 1000 leading Sport personnel, Artists and Mobile Theatre personalities
VIII Grants for Registered Youth Clubs
IX Initiative for Batadrava Than
X Bhasha Gaurav Asoni
XI Positions in Civil Services for International Sporting Champions of Assam
XII Special Grant for Sivasagar: An Iconic Site of Assam
XIII Grassroot Olympics for all ages
XIV Centre of Excellence for Digital Enablement of Assamese Language
XV Celebrating different Traditional/Cultural Festivals of Tribal Communities
XVI Fighting Drug Menace
XVII Mega Awareness Drive against Social Evils
XVIII Educational Institutions Initiatives
XIX Sanitary Napkin Scheme
XX Resolution of issues plaguing the Micro-Finance Institutions
XXI Partnerships with reputed private hospitals to provide NICU and PICU services
XXII UTTORON
XXIII City Infrastructure Development Fund
XXIV Assam Adarsha Gram Yojana
XXV Chuburi Poka Rasta Ason
XXVI PPP Partnership for Healthcare in Silchar
XXVII Shram-Gaurav Asoni
XXVIII Incentives for Rural Banks
XXIX Tea Mission
XXX Proactive filling of all sanctioned posts in all departments
XXXI Employees Welfare Measures
XXXII Additional Honorarium to Mid-Day Meal Workers
XXXIII Ration Increase for Police
XXXIV Incentive schemes for frontline workers of Kaziranga, Manas and Orang National Park
XXXV Announcement on Teachers Transfer
XXXVI Establishment Grant for Gaon Burahs