he Budget presented by the Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on March 16 has garnered support from her MLA colleagues for its underlying vision of a resurgent Assam.
Hojai MLA Ramakrishna Ghosh, a student of Economics, told Asom Barta that University textbooks said that investment in infrastructure coupled with welfare schemes help a State or a country on the path of development.
“It is the responsibility of policy makers to take the deprived section of the society forward. We see this in some of the developed countries of the world,” he said. He was also in support of the direct benefit transfer in the accounts of the economically weaker sections of the society. “This brings money back into the economy, creates demand and facilitates investment. It is precisely what this Budget is aimed at,” Ghosh told this newsletter over phone. “This Budget is targeting massive investment in infrastructure. Roadways, Health, Skills will receive additional attention. I feel this will result in development.”
“We will have a skilled young generation. The new medical colleges will bring in more doctors into the health sector of the State. Schemes like Orunodoi will help reduce the number of destitutes in the State. All these will result in capital formation,” Ghosh told this reporter on his understanding of the Budget. “All in all, I think this is a Budget which will result in integrated development,” he said.
Thowra MLA Sushanta Borgohain while terming the Budget as a complete exercise said that it will help Assam develop in the Amrit Kaal. “It has managed to touch all sections of the society. More specifically, it will help the youths in the villages to become self-reliant and thereby contributing to Assam’s GSDP.
He was also appreciative of the Budget’s focus on infrastructure, which he said will boost the State economy. He praised the Minister for focusing on building infrastructure in schools in her budgetary allocation.
“Proper utilisation of ₹ 1.39 lakh cr of the Consolidated Fund will help us in subsequent years. The fact that we managed to present a Budget of such a figure is an achievement for us,” he told this reporter.
