The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Guwahati): Assam’s Finance Minister, Ajanta Neog, announced a significant initiative in the state Budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, focusing on supporting the education of 10 lakh girls. This move is aimed at eradicating child marriage in Assam.
In her fourth Budget speech delivered on Monday, Neog presented a Rs 2.9 lakh crore budget for 2024-2025, with a deficit of Rs 774.47 crore. Notably, the budget does not introduce any new taxes.
Neog outlined the financial allocations, stating, “The state’s consolidated fund is anticipated to receive Rs 1,43,605.56 crore, as per the Budget Estimates for 2024-2025. The total receipts are calculated to be Rs 2,90,155.65 crore.” This figure is reached after accounting for Rs 1,44,550.08 crore from public accounts and Rs 2,000 crore from the contingency fund.
She further explained that the consolidated fund is expected to have total expenditures of Rs 1,43,890.62 crore in 2024-25. The overall spending for the year is estimated at Rs 2,88,560.71 crore, which includes Rs 2,000 crore under the contingency fund and Rs 1,42,670.09 crore under the public account.
Regarding Assam’s economic outlook, Neog highlighted that the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected to rise from Rs 5.7 lakh crore in 2023-24 to Rs 6.43 lakh crore in the upcoming fiscal year. This budgetary focus on girls’ education as a strategy to combat child marriage marks a significant step in social welfare and development initiatives in the state.