Assam’s Budget Utilisation Rises to 85% from 58%: Ajanta Neog

Assam’s Budget Utilisation Rises to 85% from 58%: Ajanta Neog
Guwahati, Feb 20: Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on Thursday informed the Assembly that the State’s budget utilisation has improved significantly to 85 per cent, up from 58 per cent recorded earlier.
Replying during the discussion on the Budget (Vote on Account) for 2026–27 in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Neog attributed the sharp rise to administrative reforms, improved monitoring, and efforts to reduce procedural delays. She said the State had historically recorded utilisation levels of around 60–70 per cent, with the figure standing at 58 per cent in the 2015–16 financial year.
Highlighting the State’s revenue performance, the minister stated that Assam’s own revenue collection has grown substantially—from about ₹2,500 crore in 2015–16 to nearly ₹30,000 crore in 2025–26. She added that the overall size of the State budget has also expanded markedly, rising from ₹72,573 crore in 2015–16 to nearly ₹2 lakh crore in the revised estimates for 2025–26.
Neog said the government is prioritising investments in agriculture, industry and the services sector to accelerate economic growth and generate employment opportunities, particularly for youths who had migrated outside the State in search of jobs.
On the State’s borrowing, she maintained that loans are being taken in accordance with Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) norms and within the prescribed debt-to-GSDP ratio, with a focus on capital expenditure and infrastructure development.
However, Opposition members questioned the government’s claims during the debate, raising concerns over land pattas, price rise, closure of MSMEs and regional disparities.
Following the discussion, the Assembly passed the Assam Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2026–27.