GUWAHATI: Assam finance minister Ajanta Neog, on Monday (February 12), presented the state’s budget for 2024-25 at the legislative assembly.
Several key initiatives to be undertaken by the Assam government have been announced by the finance minister in the budget speech.
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Housing for police personnel
To provide good accommodation facilities to police personnel and their families, the Assam government has announced construction of 10,000 new 2 BHK housing units covering 1000 square feet area over the next five years.
These houses will be constructed in all the Assam police battalions, spread across Assam and in the Lachit Borphukan police academy in Dergaon.
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Construction of 2000 of such houses would be completed in the financial year 2024-25 at an estimated cost of Rs 150 crore.
Integration of wetlands with River Brahmaputra for floodwater diversion
The Assam government has said that it is committed to effectively fight flood related disasters through holistic and integrated water resource management, going beyond traditional flood protection works like embankments.
Towards this objective, the Assam government has expressed its “desire to adopt a novel approach supported by robust scientific data and studies”. “We conducted survey through Northeast Space Application Center (NESAC) to identify suitable water bodies/wetlands for flood water diversion,” said Assam finance minister Ajanta Neog in her budget speech.
A total of 271 wetlands/lakes (that are larger than 10 hectares) were found to be suitable for floodwater diversions. In the initial phase, a few large wetlands are identified for rejuvenation and restoration creating additional storage capacity of 220 lakh cubic meter for water storage.
NESAC has further carried out a hydrological analysis of the flood-causing rivers and it is observed that the flood peak of some rivers may reduce from 20%-80% after floodwater diversion. This initiative is expected to significantly boost tourism, revive the depleting ground water aquifers and also revive already fragile aquatic ecosystem, supporting the livelihoods of local communities dependent upon these ecosystem services, in a sustainable manner.
The Assam finance minister proposed to allot an amount of Rs 200 crore for this purpose.
Furthermore, the Assam government “converted over 1000 km of embankments into road cum embankment”.
Administrative approval for an amount of Rs 520 crore against 50 schemes for construction / improvement of embankments has been accorded already. The execution of these works shall commence in the current year.
Renewable energy
MoUs signed between Assam Power Generation Corporation Limited and Oil India Limited for Rs 4091 crore for green power generation projects, including a 25 MW solar project at Namrup.
Collaborated with Neyvelli Lignite Corporation India Limited and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam for state-based renewable energy projects.
Government of India has approved to setup 1000 MW Solar Power Plants
Further, the works of Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project with capacity of 120 MW will be completed by the end of this year.
Green transportation
As a “commitment to eco-friendly practices, the Assam government introduced 2% reduction in Motor Vehicle Tax and exemptions on registration fees for new electric vehicles.
Under the Vehicle Scrappage Policy, 3000 vehicles were dismantled scientifically, the Assam finance minister informed.
“We have introduced 100 CNG buses, 200 electric buses in Guwahati city under ASTC. In FY 24-25 we will introduce another 100 EVs in the Guwahati metropolitan so that public transportation in the city is made 100% green and fossil-fuel free,” she said.
Mandatory rooftop solar
All new buildings (private and public) to be constructed in Assam shall mandatorily install roof-top solar facility.
“Our government shall come up with a new legislation to this effect during the current year,” said Ajanta Neog in her budget speech.
Welfare of tea tribe community
Assam finance minister Ajanta Neog said that the state government “shall support tea garden families by paying the arrear electricity dues of tea garden worker families living in the lines”.
“I earmark Rs 75 crore under this,” said Assam finance minister Ajanta Neog.
She added: “Further, we will take measures to secure land rights for tea tribe community. It was found that tea tribes and some of the members of indigenous communities do not possess documents to prove domicile for three generations and as a result, they are deprived from receiving settlement of the land.”
Financial assistance to Assamese cinemas:
In order to encourage big-screen Assamese cinema, the Assam government has expressed its intent to provide grant of Rs 10 lakh to full-fledged Assamese cinemas.
“A jury of eminent persons would scrutinize the nominations and submit their recommendations. The aim is to make Assamese cinema more competitive and commercial,” said Ajanta Neog.
“Further, I propose to support artists and technicians of Assamese cinema and mobile theatre by bringing them under Atal Pension Yojana. Our Government will be paying 50% of their contribution for five years,” she said.
Grants to 50 new cinema halls:
Furthermore, to boost the cinema industry of Assam, the state government proposed to invest 50 lakh as share capital/ grant/ soft loan for each new cinema hall to be proposed by NGO/cultural organization/private sector.
Incentives to Bihu committees:
“Last year, our government provided Rs 1.5 lakh to registered Bihu committees which are over ten years old. This initiative will continue and I propose Rs 34.5 crore towards this,” the Assam finance minister said.
She added: “In addition, we propose to organize a record-level event of Bohag Bihu in New Delhi.”
Reservation for Agniveers in Assam police
The Assam government also announced that it would reserve 10% of the posts in the Assam police department for eligible Agniveers. “However, this applies for local candidates only,” she said.