Guwahati, June 25: The Assam unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday organised a pre-budget consultation meeting in Guwahati, bringing together economists, academicians, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and representatives from various sectors to gather suggestions ahead of the preparation of the upcoming state budget.
Addressing the consultation, Assam BJP president Dilip Saikia said Assam’s economy has witnessed substantial growth between the financial years 2014–15 and 2024–25. He credited Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for driving the state’s economic transformation, addressing public concerns and laying the foundation for sustained development.
Saikia said Assam is steadily progressing towards becoming one of the country’s leading states and added that the state’s growth trajectory aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat”.
Delivering the keynote address, Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the government intends to prepare a pragmatic, people-centric and growth-oriented budget by incorporating recommendations from stakeholders representing diverse sectors.
He noted that the implementation rate of budgetary allocations under the current government has reached nearly 90 per cent and expressed confidence that the administration would continue to ensure effective execution of development programmes.
Highlighting Assam’s growing importance at the national level, Mallabaruah stated that Prime Minister Modi’s more than 35 visits to the state reflect Assam’s increasing strategic and developmental significance. He also pointed to a changing investment landscape, noting that while attracting investments of ₹1–2 crore was once challenging, the state has now received investment proposals exceeding ₹5 lakh crore.
The Finance Minister further stated that following the establishment of a semiconductor manufacturing facility in Assam, two additional semiconductor units are expected to be developed, strengthening the state’s position as an emerging hub for advanced manufacturing and industrial investment.
During the consultation, participants submitted a range of proposals for consideration in the forthcoming budget.
Abhijit Baruah called for greater focus on the MSME sector and proposed a “Make in Assam” initiative on the lines of the Centre’s “Make in India” programme. He also recommended increased use of bamboo and cane products in government infrastructure projects.
Ramesh Chandra Deka urged the government to strengthen investment in higher education infrastructure, while Akashjyoti Gogoi proposed insurance subsidies for small poultry and egg-producing farms to support sectoral growth.
The consultation was attended by representatives of financial institutions, universities, business organisations and professional bodies, along with Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament and senior BJP leaders.
Suggestions received during the meeting are expected to be examined during the formulation of the upcoming Assam Budget.
