Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday expressed his happiness at the Assam Budget 2023-24, presented by State finance minister Ajanta Neog at the floor of Assam legislative assembly. He congratulated the finance minister and her team of officials for preparing a budget that reflects the potential of a new and resurgent Assam.
Sarma exuded confidence that the presented budget is a document aimed at ensuring socio-economic empowerment and equitable growth comprising all sections of society in the State. It shall prove to be a milestone in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of all sections, added Sarma. Stressing on the Rs 5,000 crore allotment in the budget so as to provide self-employment opportunities to the State’s two lakh youths, Sarma commented that the revolutionary step would prove immensely helpful for the youths to stand up on their own feet.
Stating that the current dispensation in the State believes in the concept of equitable growth, he added that the provisioning made for microfinance loan waiver is a step in that very direction and shall fulfill one of the most talked-about promises made during the last assembly election campaigns. He also cited the measures for nearly 39 lakh members of 3.27 lakh self-help groups of Assam and commented that empowering the SHGs through financial aid would help build a robust home-based industry in the State. Sarma also emphasized on the scheme of health insurance titled Chief Minister Ayushman Asom on the lines of the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme, and Chief Minister Awaas Yojana, modelled around Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, for the economically disadvantaged sections.
