Published 20:44 IST, March 6th 2020

Himanta Biswa Sarma tables 'people's budget', Assam CM lauds but Opposition says 'copycat'

Assam FM Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday placed the last full Budget of the Sarbananda Sonowal State government, as the State is going to polls in 2021.

Reported by: Anirudha Bhakat
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Assam Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday placed last full Budget of Sarbananda Sowal State government, as state is going to polls in 2021. Stating that clarion call of Chief Minister Sarbananda Sowal of a 'Bideshi Mukto, Durniti Mukto, Santrakhbad Mukto and Produkhon Mukto Asom' (Immigrants free, corruption-free, terrorism free and pollution-free Assam), a reality w, Sarma opened his budget speech.

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Sarma also informed that Assam was first state to publish an eBudget in 2018-19 and w  state has this time witnessed introduction of QR Code feature. Rs 1,05,246.23 crore has been earmarked for financial year 2020-21.

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma also said that state's spending has set a new benchmark over last three years.  Budget has witnessed major reforms from withdrawal of agricultural tax to slashing for state sales tax on petrol and diesel by 50 paise. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sowal lauded budget as a transforming budget fulfilling aspirations of people.

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opposition, however, alleged that budget for this financial year is an election oriented budget that tried to copy Delhi model or Kejriwal with freebies. Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma meanwhile countered opposition saying that when elections are around corner, budget definitely will be election oriented. He furr said, "This is Assam model and t Kejriwal's model or anyone else's model."

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Key Points of Budget 

Free Bus Service

Finance Minister anunced free bus services for women and senior citizens in Guwahati. special bus facilities will t be available on or buses. Apart from this, candidates appearing for job interviews can travel for free where call/ letter will be treated as a ticket.  pickup and drop can be to any location in State buses. 

Scooty

Finance Minister also anunced a scooty each for 20,000 girl toppers of State. Students who topped 12th boards from Assam State Higher Secondary Council will be eligible for this. 

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State of art schools 

Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma also anunced 200 new state of art schools. se schools will be on par with private schools of State. 

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Separate Development Board for indigeus Muslims

indigeus Muslims of State will get a separate development board soon. demand for a separate development board has been re for a long time. indigeus Muslims of State have been also demanding a separate census for m, as ir identity has been threatened by rampant illegal influx of Bangladeshi Muslims. 

native langu will be a must for jobs

From w onwards anyone applying for State government jobs will have to have kwledge of a native langu. Anyone failing to fulfill this will t be able to apply.

Ration for police constables 

State police constables will w get Rs 2000 for ration monthly. This will be apart from allowance y get. 

Fund for textbooks 

One lakh students will get Rs 1000 each for textbooks. This measure has been taken to light burden on parents. 

Waiver for Divyangs 

From w onwards, any Divyangs will t have to pay registration fees while buying immovable assets. asset will have to be registered in his or her name.

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20:44 IST, March 6th 2020