Himanta hails Union Budget as 'reform-oriented', says Assam will benefit meaningfully

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hailed the Union Budget as a reform-oriented one, from which the entire eastern region, including the state, will benefit meaningfully. Sarma said, The formal acceptance of the 16th Finance Commission recommendations is expected to enhance Assams share in tax devolution to 3.258 per cent from 3.128 per cent, providing greater fiscal space for development.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday hailed the Union Budget as a ''reform-oriented'' one, from which the entire eastern region, including the state, will ''benefit meaningfully''. He said the Budget maintained a fine balance between India's global aspirations and grassroots development. In a series of X posts, Sarma listed out several points from the Union Budget, which was presented earlier in the day by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and asserted that Assam is going to gain in many aspects. ''Compliments to Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and Hon'ble Finance Minister Smt @nsitharaman Ji for presenting the #ViksitBharatBudget2026, which strikes a fine balance between India's global aspirations and grassroots development,'' he said. Assam, where assembly elections are likely in March-April, and the eastern region stand to ''benefit meaningfully'' from this reform-oriented Budget, Sarma said. ''The announcement of Self-Help Marts (SHE-Marts) will further strengthen Assam's efforts towards building a robust ecosystem of Lakhpati Didis under #MMUA,'' he added. Sarma said that the emphasis on skilling in the Budget aligns with Assam's vision to emerge as a trusted hub for skilled professionals in healthcare, AI and other allied sectors. ''This Budget provides Rs 2 lakh crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, which will accelerate infrastructure activities in Assam,'' he added. The CM pointed out that the Budget for FY'27 also has a provision of Rs 6,812 crore for the development of the Northeast, underlining the Modi government's sustained focus on the region. ''The Budget's continued emphasis on fiscal discipline and price stability is equally commendable,'' he added. In her speech, Sitharaman announced that the target for capex will be raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY'27 from the Rs 11.2 lakh crore in the current fiscal. She announced a slew of measures to boost infrastructure in the country, including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Sarma said, ''The formal acceptance of the 16th Finance Commission recommendations is expected to enhance Assam's share in tax devolution to 3.258 per cent from 3.128 per cent, providing greater fiscal space for development. Overall transfer to our state is set to increase substantially through this budget.'' He emphasised that the Budget places a strong thrust on futuristic industries -- semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, data centres, chemical parks and rare earths -- creating new employment opportunities for the youth. ''Targeted support for fisheries, commercial farming, and Amrit Sarovars will benefit farmers and cooperatives alike,'' Sarma said. He said that the new tourism circuits in the Northeast, along with investments in infrastructure and public transport in smaller towns, will accelerate Assam's urbanisation and connectivity. ''The focus on the Orange Economy opens new avenues for creative talent and content creators in the region,'' the Assam CM said. He also welcomed the decision to upgrade the National Mental Health Institute at Tezpur, as it will ''significantly strengthen'' specialised healthcare services in Assam. Speaking to reporters later, Sarma said that an increase in tax devolution will instantly help Assam in mopping up an additional Rs 2,000 crore next year and thereafter, it will keep on increasing proportionately. Earlier in the day, he expressed hope that the Union Budget for 2026-27 would offer more tax devolution to the state. ''We look at how much revenue devolution is done in the budget. We see how much money was given to us last fiscal, and how much will be allocated this year. I am sure that we will get more funds this time compared to last year,'' he said before the Budget was tabled in Lok Sabha. Talking about the proposals to develop infrastructure in tier-2 and tier-3 temple cities, he said, ''I think with Maa Kamakhya in Guwahati, we fulfil all the qualifications. Budget has promised Rs 5,000 crore for the urban corridor.'' The Assam CM asserted that the budget has given a lot of emphasis on reforms, ease of doing business and MSMEs. ''So, this is a very good budget considering the current geopolitical and economic situation. I welcome the budget wholeheartedly,'' he added.

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