Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre for significantly enhancing the state’s share of central devolution in the Union Budget. Speaking on Wednesday, Sarma highlighted that the increased allocation reflects New Delhi’s sustained trust in Assam’s positive development trajectory. He praised the Union government’s consistent prioritization of Assam’s growth, attributing the financial boost as a reward for the state’s steady economic progress under the broader vision of Viksit Bharat.
This year, Assam has been allocated Rs 49,725 crore as part of central tax devolution, a sizeable amount that the Chief Minister said will strongly support the state’s ambitious development agenda. State government officials noted that this enhanced funding will bolster Assam’s fiscal capacity, enabling greater investment across critical sectors such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, connectivity, and social welfare schemes. The increased central share is also expected to give Assam greater flexibility to implement region-specific programs that address local needs and priorities.
CM Sarma emphasized that the Centre’s backing has been vital in fast-tracking key infrastructure projects in Assam, including highways, bridges, railways, inland waterways, and urban development. He pointed out that these investments are crucial for integrating Assam more deeply with national and regional markets, which in turn will boost employment and attract private investment. According to state finance officials, Assam’s improved financial standing is a direct result of sustained reforms, better governance, and efficient utilization of both state and central funds.
Political analysts observe that the increased central devolution comes at a time when Assam is positioning itself as a major growth engine in the Northeast region. The state government has been actively promoting Assam as a gateway to Southeast Asia, focusing on developing logistics, tourism, manufacturing, and energy sectors. With the fresh financial support from the Centre, Assam is expected to ramp up its development programs further, aligning closely with the Centre’s broader vision of inclusive, balanced regional growth under the Viksit Bharat mission.
