Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressing a press conference at Janata Bhawan in Guwahati on Sunday. UB
Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

This is the first time Assam has presented an E-Budget. I Pad and other relevant budget documents have been distributed among the legislators. Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma is presenting the budget at Assam Legislative Assembly now.

Before presenting the budget Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I have always believed and felt that the day is not far when Assam will be in the top five states of the country in good governance, economic progress, human development indicators.”

Some more highlights from the budget speech –

# 100 crore saplings to be planted

# Rs 10 crore scheme for all Assembly constituencies

# Dindayal College in Batabari, Bongaigaon

# Beating retreat like Wagha in eight Indo-Bangladesh border points

# Monthly allowance for sanitary napkins

# Monthly salary of contractual teachers hiked to Rs 20,000

# Rs five crore to all model villages

# Aim to double the income of farmers within next five years

# Stadium at Botatdroba

# Roads and drainage system will be constructed. Existing ones will be improved in Nagaon

# IIT in Naharkatia will be established

# Degree college in Margherita will be established

# Loan will be provided to cottage and small scale industries

# Five-storeyed market complex at Tingkhong

# Aim to double agricultural production

# Rs 17.5 crore for bell metel industry at Sarthebari

# Scooty provided to 5,000 meritorious girl students in 2018

# Fund for appointment of adequate teachers in government schools

# Rs five lakh one-time compensation for families of BTAD violence victims

# Award to be instituted in memory of Biju Phukan

# Free textbooks to post-graduate students

# Privatization of government education sector for first time. Establishment of 100 schools under PPP scheme

# Establishment of schools under PPP scheme in tea gardens

# Process of provincialization of schools to be completed. Science stream in 50 more schools

# Development of Deepor Beel is on the cards

# Rs five crore to Assam Zoo will be given