GUWAHATI: Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 on Monday, March 10, projecting a fiscal deficit of ₹620.27 crore. The budget estimates total receipts of ₹2,62,913.92 crore, while total expenditure is pegged at ₹2,60,959.24 crore. Despite an estimated surplus of ₹1,954.68 crore from current transactions, the state’s opening deficit of ₹2,574.95 crore has resulted in an overall budgetary shortfall of ₹620.27 crore.
This is Neog’s fifth and last full budget before the 2026 assembly elections.
The budget focuses on tax relief, industrial growth, and infrastructure development while addressing social welfare initiatives. One of the key announcements includes the exemption of professional tax for individuals earning up to ₹15,000 per month, benefitting over 1.43 lakh taxpayers. Additionally, the tax holiday on green tea leaves has been extended by two years to support the tea industry.
To boost economic growth, the government has allocated funds for new industrial parks and urban infrastructure projects, with a focus on attracting investments. The social welfare sector has received significant attention, with ₹5,000 crore earmarked for the expansion of the Orunodoi scheme, increasing its coverage to 37.2 lakh beneficiaries. A new initiative, the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyan, has also been introduced with an allocation of ₹3,038 crore to support women entrepreneurs.
Despite the deficit, the Assam government aims to maintain a balance between fiscal responsibility and development, ensuring growth across multiple sectors while addressing financial constraints.
