Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed the Union Budget 2019-20 as ‘pro-people, pro-poor’ which will galvanise rural empowerment and women empowerment.
He also hailed the budget as a concrete step for overall development and bridging the urban and rural divide.
In a statement, chief minister Sonowal said that the budget 2019-20 with its exclusive ‘Gaon-Garib’ focus will be a great fillip to expedite the progress of the poor and middle class of the country.
Terming it a green budget, Sonowal said that under the budget electric vehicles will be cheaper to protect the environment.
Moreover, provisions have been made to make raw materials for artificial kidney, wool fiber and defence equipment cheaper in this budget.
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To ensure Har Ghar Jal to all rural households by 2024 under Jal Jeevan Mission, focus has been paid on integrated demand and supply side management at local level, creation of local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and household waste water management.
Assam and other northeastern states will also be benefitted from the programme.
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Moreover, enhanced interest deduction for affordable housing loan and changing common men’s life through Mundra, Ujjwala, Saubhagya etc will increase common men’s access to the benefits of governance.
Under Pradhan Mantri Karam Yogi Maandhan pension benefits, retail traders and small shopkeepers will be empowered and it will help the small and medium scale traders of Assam as well.
Under this budget, railways will receive major facelift and railways to be encouraged to invest more in suburban railways which will help the railway projects in Assam to take off.
Under infrastructure development programme Bharatmala phase 2 to be launched and state road networks will be developed to facilitate seamless road communication in the state.
For the empowerment of women,70 per cent women beneficiaries under MUDRA scheme have been included along with giving free connections to eight crore LPG connections under Ujjawala Yojana for women.
To expand women SHG interest subvention programme to all districts Rs.1 lakh loan under MUDRA scheme will be given to one woman in every SHG which will definitely empower women in our state. Total 1.95 crore houses will be provided to eligible beneficiaries.
Giving a respite to the tax payers the Union Budget 2019-20 provided no income tax for annual income group up to Rs. 5 lakhs which is a welcome step. For the development of sports persons decision to set up National Sports Education Board will also help the sports persons of the state.
Exclusive TV channel for startups and e-verification for establishing investor identity and source of funds to resolve tax issues relating to fund raising is also welcoming for the startup initiatives.
To boost up agro -rural industries through cluster based development under SFURTI scheme with focus on bamboo, honey and khadi clusters 100 new clusters to be set up to enable 50000 artisans during 2019-20,is a big boost for the traditional industries.
Sonowal also hailed the vision unleased by the budget to help the country become $5 trillion economy driven by ‘virtuous cycle’ of investment. India also has become sixth largest economy of the world.
Chief minister Sonowa lalso said that the budget will be the catalyst for equal development and equal dignity of all sections of the people belonging to all states.