As per the Union Budget 2024-25, some of the Fund Allocation & Provisions for Assam and North-East India are discussed here:
More than 100 branches of India Post Payment Bank will be set up in the North East region.
Assistance for flood management and related projects in Assam, Sikkim & Uttarakhand.
Government will also provide assistance to Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim for flood management, landslides and related projects.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana (PMCSPY), Rs. 1000 crores have been allocated for the welfare of tea workers, especially women.
The special package for the Bodoland Territorial Council has increased significantly, with Rs 174.66 crore allocated, up from Rs. 100 crore last year.
The development of the Tea Board is also planned, with the budget outlay increased more than five times, from Rs. 135 crores to Rs. 721.50 crores. Notably, in 2023, Assam produced 654.63 million kilograms of tea, while in 2022, tea production was 668 million kilograms.
For the development of the Northeast region, a budget outlay of Rs. 5900 crores is planned.
Assam’s share of devolution stands at Rs. 38,154 crores. The state’s infrastructure will be bolstered through the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana Phase IV and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Additionally, the tribal areas of the state will receive a boost under the Pradhan Mantri Janajatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan.
1. Describe briefly the salient features of the scheme Mukhya Mantri Nijut Maina (MMNM)’ launched by the Government of Assam to eliminate child marriages. (Answer in 150 words) 10
2. Explain the pros and cons of development of railway stations through joint ventures under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. What may be the
possible reactions of the general public? (Answer in 150 words) 5+5=10
3. “Indian Railways is the lifeline of the Indian economy.” Discuss the statement in the context of three railway corridors announced in the Union Interim Budget, 2024. (Answer in 150 words) 10
4. Comment on the benefits and challenges of digital economy in India. (Answer in 150 words) 10
5. Discuss the significance of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’ in reference to rural economy and climate mitigation. (Answer in 150 words) 10
6. Explain the relationship among government procurement operations,minimum support prices (MSPs) and the creation of buffer stocks in the context of Assam (Answer in 150 words) 10
7. “Disasters affect girls and women in different ways than they affect boys and men.” Do you agree? Why are responses often gender-blind? How do you ensure gender equality in disaster risk reduction in particular? (Answer in 150 words) 10
8. Discuss the preparedness and mitigation measures that should be adopted for reducing the impact of earthquakes in the context of Assam.
(Answer in 150 words) 10
9. What is the digital twin concept? How does it help an organization to arrive at better decisions? Discuss the Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiative of the Government of India, (Answer in 150 words) 10
10. Do you think that the Green Credit Programme can be used to circumvent existing laws particularly those that deal with forest conservation? Substantiate your answer. (Answer in 150 words) 10
11. India’s first indigenous semiconductor assembly and test facility at Jagiroad shall put Assam on the world semiconductor map and transform the economic landscape of East India,” Examine the above statement with reference to the economic opportunities and employment potential of this mega project. (Answer in 250 words) 15
12. What are Nifty and Sensex? Comment on the growing popularity of mutual funds investment in India. (Answer in 250 words) 15
13. The Government of Assam has initiated the process of constructing bridges over Brahmaputra at several places. Mention the places and discuss the probable benefits and strategic importance of these bridges. (Answer in 250 words) 15
14. Which is the implementing authority of the Project Cheetah in India and which are the collaborating partners? What are the ecological objectives of the project? Give your opinion on the implementation of the project so far. (Answer in 250 words) 15
15. Explain the causal links between environmental degradation and vulnerability to disasters. Suggest four steps that can be taken to minimize environmental degradation. (Answer in 250 words) 15
16. Describe, in detail, the Uttar Purva Transformative Industrialization Scheme (UNNATI), 2024. How will it enhance industrial development and job creation in North-East India? (Answer in 250 words) 15
17. What is traditional knowledge? Suggest ways to use it for sustainable use of forest and biodiversity. (Answer in 250 words) 15
18. “Seventy-hour work week may offer a temporary burst of productivity, but at the expense of employees’ well-being, long-term output and overall social happiness.” Critically examine the statement. (Answer in 250 words) 15
19. Not all animals migrate by choice’ is a campaign against what activity? Suggest innovative steps to make the campaign a success. (Answer in 250 words) 15
20. “India has emerged as a Vishwa Mitra (global friend), a Vishwa Guru (global teacher) and a Vishwa Vaidya (global physician).” Examine the statement in the light of the development made by India in recent years. (Answer in 250 words) 15
Assam Finance Minister, Ms. Ajanta Neog presented the state’s ₹774.47 cr deficit annual Budget for the financial year 2024-25 on February 12, 2024. With no new taxes proposed, Neog mentioned that the total budget for the coming financial year will be ₹2.9 lakh crore.
Budget estimates for 2024-25 show receipt of ₹143,605.56 crore under consolidated fund of the state. With receipt of ₹144,550.08 crore under public account and ₹2,000 crore from contingency fund, the aggregate receipts amount to ₹290,155.65 crore. The minister mentioned that total expenditure from the consolidated fund in 2024-25 is estimated at ₹143,890.62 crore.
Important Policies/Yojana announced in Assam Budget 2024-25
Punya Tirtha Yojana: Among the budget’s key highlights was the announcement of Punya Tirtha Yojana scheme to send 25,000 pilgrims to visit the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, with an earmarked budget of ₹25 crore.
Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina: The government will support 10 lakh girls with financial grants as admission incentives for their higher education. Each girl student who joins class 11 will receive One-time incentives of ₹10,000 and those joining first year of graduation will be given ₹12,500. One-time incentives of Rs 15,000 will be paid to 10 lakh girl students for joining post-graduation (first year). This will be available for students taking admission in government colleges and institutions. A total outlay of ₹240 crore has been allocated for this in the budget. Aimed at eliminating child marriages, the incentive is only for unmarried girls who study in any government-run educational institution.
Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan: A minimum amount of Rs 47,500 will be provided to each woman member of self-help groups in rural and urban areas. This will be provided by a combination of grant, subsidy, and loan.
Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin): 13,000 houses each will be allocated to eligible beneficiaries from tea garden communities and poorest of poor beneficiaries who were not included under the socio-economic caste census.
Rooftop solar: All new private and public buildings constructed in Assam will have to mandatorily install rooftop solar facility.
Farm mechanisation: The state government will distribute power tillers, tractors, threshers, and other farm equipment to support agricultural activities.
Social Equity in Government Recruitment: To bring social equity in Govt recruitment for all grade III and grade IV posts without compromising the quality of selection, from the 2024-25 fiscal, the government will provide 5% weightage in total marks to job applicants from families without any member in government service.
Safeguard for iconic sites: Budget proposals included bringing in legislation to ensure that the land surrounding “iconic and heritage locations” in Barpeta, Batadrava, Majuli, and Narayanpur is transferred only to indigenous persons or institutions. The move is to “safeguard the cultural significance” of these places.
Mukhya Mantri Sangrahalaya: The government has also decided to set up ‘Mukhya Mantri Sangrahalaya’ in Guwahati to document the legacies of all former Chief Ministers of the State.
ASHTADASH MUKUTOR UNNOYONEE MAALA:
Flagship Schemes 2024-25
Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina (MMNM)
Mukhya Mantri Mahila Udyamita Abhiyaan
Orunodoi 2.0 – Expanding and More Inclusive
Assam Micro Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme – Category III
Chief Minister’s Atmanirbhar Assam Abhijan
One Lakh Plus Jobs
Projects for Amrit Kaal
Creating Growth Corridors
Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana (Gramin)
Innovative integration of wetlands with River Brahmaputra
Green Growth for Greener Assam
Welfare of Tea Tribe Community
Quest for Cultural Identity
Punya Tirth Yojana – Ayodhya Pilgrimage
Future for Children
Khel Maharan and Youth Clubs in 126 LACs
Global Investors’ Summit in November, 2024
Mukhya Mantri Sangrahalaya
Major Announcements for FY 2024-25
Reservation for Agniveers in Assam Police
Self-sufficiency in egg, milk and fish production
Promotion of small tea growers
Start-up Mission
Setting up of Training Centre at Padmashree Hemaprova Chutia’s residence
PM Vishwakarma Yojana
Farm Mechanization
Rooftop solarisation
Climate Action
Amrit-Guwahati Integrated Global City (Amrit-GiG City)
Ayushman Asom : A comprehensive healthcare initiative
Comprehensive School health Programme under Chief Minister’s Ayushman Asom
Village and Community Outreach Programme for MBBS Students in Assam under Chief Minister’s Ayushman Asom
Championing Digital Transformation & Artificial Intelligence
Gyan-Dhara – Integrating virtual reality technology with for experiential learning
Third Assam Bhawan in New Delhi
Standing with our employees – Apun Ghar, Apun Bahan
Supporting the Employees of Different Societies (Ex-Gratia)
Jeevika Sakhi Express
Monthly remuneration to honorary Gaon Pradhans in the Forest areas
Expenditures & Receipts of Govt of Assam
Expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2024-25 is estimated to be Rs 1,36,699 crore, a decrease of 9% from the revised estimates of 2023-24. In addition, debt of Rs 7,192 crore will be repaid by the state.
Receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2024-25 are estimated to be Rs 1,14,165 crore, a decrease of 5% as compared to the revised estimate of 2023-24.
Revenue surplus in 2024-25 is estimated to be 0.3% of GSDP (Rs 1,852 crore), as compared to a revenue deficit of 0.2% of GSDP (Rs 1,396 crore) at the revised estimate stage in 2023-24. Assam had budgeted a revenue surplus of 0.5% of GSDP in 2023-24.
Fiscal deficit for 2024-25 is targeted at 3.5% of GSDP (Rs 22,534 crore). In 2023-24, as per the revised estimates, fiscal deficit is expected to be 5.2% of GSDP.
Receipts in 2024-25
Total revenue receipts for 2024-25 are estimated to be Rs 1,11,944 crore. Of this, Rs 43,020 crore (38%) will be raised by the state through its own resources, and Rs 68,924 crore (62%) will come from the centre. Resources from the centre will be in the form of state’s share in central taxes (36% of revenue receipts) and grants (26% of revenue receipts).
Devolution: In 2024-25, state’s share in central taxes is estimated at Rs 40,000 crore.
Grants from the centre in 2024-25 are estimated at Rs 28,924 crore.
Assam’s own tax revenue
Assam’s total own tax revenue is estimated to be Rs 34,148 crore in 2024-25, an increase of 13% over the revised estimate of 2023-24. Own tax revenue as a percentage of GSDP is estimated at 5.3% in 2024-25, same as the revised estimates for 2023-24. As per the actual figures for 2022-23, own tax revenue as a percentage of GSDP was 5%.
In 2024-25, State GST is estimated to be the largest source of own tax revenue (50% share).
Assam’s expenditure on key sectors
Education: Assam has allocated 17% of its expenditure on education in 2024-25. This is higher than the average allocation for education by states in 2023-24 (14.7%).
Health: Assam has allocated 6.1% of its total expenditure towards health, which is broadly similar to the average allocation for health by states (6.2%).
Rural development: Assam has allocated 3.7% of its expenditure on rural development. This is lower than the average allocation for rural development by states (5%).
Roads and bridges: Assam has allocated 7% of its expenditure towards roads and bridges. This is higher than the average allocation towards roads and bridges by states (4.6%).
Agriculture: Assam has allocated 4.5% of its total expenditure towards agriculture. This is lower than the average expenditure on agriculture by states (5.9%).
Irrigation: Assam has allocated 2.8% of its total expenditure towards irrigation, which is lower than the average allocation by states (3.4%).
Deficits, Debt, and FRBM Targets for 2024-25
The Assam Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2005 provides annual targets to progressively reduce the outstanding debt, revenue deficit and fiscal deficit of the state government.
Revenue balance: It is the difference of revenue expenditure and revenue receipts. A revenue deficit implies that the government needs to borrow to finance those expenses which do not increase its assets or reduces its liabilities. The budget estimates a revenue surplus of Rs 1,852 crore (or 0.3% of the GSDP) in 2024-25.
Fiscal deficit: It is the excess of total expenditure over total receipts. This gap is filled by borrowings by the government and leads to an increase in total liabilities. In 2024-25, the fiscal deficit is estimated to be 3.5% of GSDP. For 2024-25, the central government has permitted fiscal deficit of up to 3.5% of GSDP to states, of which 0.5% of GSDP will be available upon carrying out certain power sector reforms. As per the revised estimates, in 2023-24, the fiscal deficit of the state is expected to be 5.2% of GSDP. This is higher than the budget estimate of 3.7% of GSDP. Fiscal deficit is projected to be lowered to 1.4% of GSDP by 2029-30.
Outstanding debt: Outstanding debt is the accumulation of total borrowings at the end of a financial year. At the end of 2024-25, the outstanding debt is estimated to be 25.2% of GSDP, higher than the budget estimate for 2023-24 (24.4% of GSDP).
Outstanding Government Guarantees: Outstanding debt of states do not include a few other liabilities that are contingent in nature, which states may have to honour in certain cases. State governments guarantee the borrowings of State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs) from financial institutions. As of March 31, 2023, the state’s outstanding guarantee is estimated to be Rs 1,167 crore, which is 0.2% of Assam’s GSDP in 2022-23.
GREEN BUDGETING
Green Budgeting is a Public Finance Management (PFM) tool to enable evidence and output based budgeting towards achieving climate and sustainability targets allowing for effi cient resource allocation towards Climate Change mitigation, adaptation, and environment sustainability.
A Green Budget contributes to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 7 (Aff ordable and Clean Energy), and other SDGs, fostering a more sustainable and resilient future in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement and other national and state commitments. Green Budget share is 10.02% of total budget of 18 key departments amounting to Rs. 4636 Crore in FY 2024-25.
Highlights of Assam Economy 2024
The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam for 2024-25 (at current prices) is projected to be Rs. 6,43,089 crore, amounting to growth of 13% over 2023-24.
In 2022-23, Assam’s GSDP (at constant prices) is estimated to grow by 10.2% over the previous year. In comparison, India’s GDP is estimated to grow by 7.2% in 2022-23.
Sectors contribution: In 2022-23, agriculture, manufacturing, and services sectors are estimated to contribute 35%, 19%, and 45% of Assam’s economy, respectively (at current prices).
Per capita GSDP: In 2022-23, Assam’s per capita GSDP (at current prices) is estimated to be Rs 1,36,819, an increase of 17% over 2021-22. In 2022-23, India’s per capita GDP is estimated to increase by 15% over 2021-22 to Rs 1,96,983.
Highlights of Interim Union Budget 2024-25 – Analysis & Important points for APSC Exam
On February 01, 2024, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Union Budget for the financial year 2024-25 in the Parliament, with the ‘mantra’ of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Vishwas’ and the whole of nation approach of “Sabka Prayas”. This was the sixth budget presented by the current FM and the last one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s second term. The full budget will be presented in July 2024, after the new government is formed post the Lok Sabha Elections.
Finance Minister confirmed the continuation of existing rates for direct taxes, indirect taxes, and export duties. She also disclosed an 11% surge in the upcoming year’s capex outlay, reaching ₹11.1 lakh crore. During the fiscal year’s federal budget announcement, the fiscal gap revised to 5.8% of the gross domestic product. Nominal GDP growth for FY25 is projected at 10.5%.
Highlights & Important Point of Interim Union Budget 2024-25
~ PART- A ~
Social Justice
To focus on upliftment of four major castes, that is, ‘Garib’ (Poor), ‘Mahilayen’ (Women), ‘Yuva’ (Youth) and ‘Annadata’(Farmer).
Govt to form high-powered panel to address population growth challenges and demographic changes.
‘Garib Kalyan, Desh ka Kalyan’
Government assisted 25 crore people out of multi-dimensional poverty in last 10 years.
DBT of Rs. 34 lakh crore using PM-Jan Dhan accounts led to savings of Rs. 2.7 lakh crore for the Government.
PM-SVANidhi provided credit assistance to 78 lakh street vendors. 2.3 lakh have received credit for the third time.
PM-JANMAN Yojana to aid the development of particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTG).
PM-Vishwakarma Yojana provides end-to-end support to artisans and crafts people engaged in 18 trades.
Welfare of ‘Annadata’
PM-KISAN SAMMAN Yojana provided financial assistance to 11.8 crore farmers.
Under PM Fasal BimaYojana, crop insurance is given to 4 crore farmers
Electronic National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) integrated 1361 mandis, providing services to 1.8 crore farmers with trading volume of Rs. 3 lakh crore.
Momentum for Nari Shakti
30 crore Mudra Yojana loans given to women entrepreneurs.
Female enrolment in higher education gone up by 28%.
In STEM courses, girls and women constitute 43% of enrolment, one of the highest in the world.
Over 70% houses under PM Awas Yojana given to women from rural areas.
PM Awas Yojana (Grameen)
Despite COVID challenges, the target of three crore houses under PM Awas Yojana (Grameen) will be achieved soon.
Two crore more houses to be taken up in the next five years.
A scheme to help middle class living in rented houses to buy or build their own houses will be launched
Rooftop solarization and muft bijli
1 crore households to obtain 300 units free electricity every month through rooftop solarization. Each household is expected to save Rs.15000 to Rs.18000 annually.
Ayushman Bharat
Healthcare cover under Ayushman Bharat scheme to be extended to all ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.
Agriculture and food processing
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana has benefitted 38 lakh farmers and generated 10 lakh employment.
Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Yojana has assisted 2.4 lakh SHGs and 60000 individuals with credit linkages.
Research and Innovation for catalyzing growth, employment and development
A corpus of Rs.1 lakh crore to be established with fifty-year interest free loan to provide long-term financing or refinancing with long tenors and low or nil interest rates.
A new scheme to be launched for strengthening deep-tech technologies for defence purposes and expediting ‘atmanirbharta’.
Infrastructure
Capital expenditure outlay for Infrastructure development and employment generation to be increased by 11.1 per cent to Rs.11,11,111 crore, that will be 3.4 per cent of the GDP.
Railways
3 major economic railway corridor programmes identified under the PM Gati Shakti to be implemented to improve logistics efficiency and reduce cost
Energy, mineral and cement corridors
Port connectivity corridors
High traffic density corridors
Forty thousand normal rail bogies to be converted to Vande Bharat standards.
Aviation Sector
Number of airports in the country doubled to 149.
Five hundred and seventeen new routes are carrying 1.3 crore passengers.
Indian carriers have placed orders for over 1000 new aircrafts.
Green Energy
Coal gasification and liquefaction capacity of 100 MT to be set up by 2030.
Phased mandatory blending of compressed biogas (CBG) in compressed natural gas (CNG) for transport and piped natural gas (PNG) for domestic purposes to be mandated.
Tourism sector
States to be encouraged to take up comprehensive development of iconic tourist centres including their branding and marketing at global scale.
Framework for rating of the tourist centres based on quality of facilities and services to be established.
Long-term interest free loans to be provided to States for financing such development on matching basis.
Investments
FDI inflow during 2014-23 of USD 596 billion was twice of the inflow during 2005-14.
Reforms in the States for ‘Viksit Bharat’
A provision of Rs.75,000 crore rupees as fifty-year interest free loan is proposed to support milestone-linked reforms by the State Governments.
Budget Estimates 2024-25
Total receipts other than borrowings and the total expenditure are estimated at Rs.30.80 and Rs.47.66 lakh crore respectively.
Tax receipts are estimated at Rs.26.02 lakh crore.
Scheme of fifty-year interest free loan for capital expenditure to states to be continued this year with total outlay of Rs.1.3 lakh crore.
Fiscal deficit in 2024-25 is estimated to be 5.1 per cent of GDP
Revised Estimates (RE) 2023-24
RE of the total receipts other than borrowings is Rs.27.56 lakh crore, of which the tax receipts are Rs.23.24 lakh crore.
RE of the total expenditure is Rs.44.90 lakh crore.
Revenue receipts at Rs.30.03 lakh crore are expected to be higher than the Budget Estimate, reflecting strong growth momentum and formalization in the economy.
RE of the fiscal deficit is 5.8 per cent of GDP for 2023-24.
~ PART- B ~
Direct taxes
FM proposes to retain same tax rates for direct taxes
Direct tax collection tripled, return filers increased to 2.4 times, in the last 10 years
Government to improve tax payer services
Outstanding direct tax demands upto Rs 25000 pertaining to the period upto FY 2009-10 withdrawn
Outstanding direct tax demands upto Rs 10000 for financial years 2010-11 to 2014-15 withdrawn
This will benefit one crore tax payers
Tax exemption on certain income of IFSC units extended by a year to 31.03.2025 from 31.03.2024
Direct tax collection target set at ₹21.99-lakh crore, while that of indirect tax is at ₹16.22-lakh crore.
Indirect taxes
FM proposes to retain same tax rates for indirect taxes and import duties
GST unified the highly fragmented indirect tax regime in India
Average monthly gross GST collection doubled to Rs 1.66 lakh crore this year, while GST tax base has doubled
State SGST revenue buoyancy (including compensation released to states) increased to 1.22 in post-GST period(2017-18 to 2022-23) from 0.72 in the pre-GST period (2012-13 to 2015-16)
GST led to supply chain optimization and reduced the compliance burden on trade and industry. Lower logistics cost and taxes helped reduce prices of goods and services, benefiting the consumers
Tax rationalization efforts over the years
No tax liability for income upto Rs 7 lakh, up from Rs 2.2 lakh in FY 2013-14
Presumptive taxation threshold for retail businesses increased to Rs 3 crore from Rs 2 crore
Presumptive taxation threshold for professionals increased to Rs 75 lakh from Rs 50 lakh
Corporate income tax decreased to 22% from 30% for existing domestic companies
Corporate income tax rate at 15% for new manufacturing companies
Tax benefits to start-ups and investments made by sovereign wealth or pension funds extended by 1 year till March 31, 2025
Assam Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on 16 March, 2023 presented the state budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 at the Assam Legislative Assembly.
Assam Budget 2023-24 Highlights
Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Assam for 2023-24 (at current prices) is projected to be Rs 5.67 lakh crore, amounting to growth of 15% over 2022-23.
Expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2023-24 is estimated to be Rs 1,35,348 crore. In addition, debt of Rs 4,407 crore will be repaid by the state.
Receipts (excluding borrowings) for 2023-24 are estimated to be Rs 1,14,392 crore, an increase of 2.3% as compared to the revised estimate of 2022-23.
Revenue surplus in 2023-24 is estimated to be 0.5% of GSDP (Rs 2,748 crore), whereas a revenue deficit of 3% of GSDP is estimated for 2022-23 (revised estimate).
Fiscal deficit for 2023-24 is targeted at 3.7% of GSDP (Rs 20,957 crore).
Per capita income: In 2022-23, Assam’s per capita income (at current prices) is estimated to be Rs 1,18,504, an increase of 15% over 2021-22. In 2022-23, India’s per capita income is estimated to increase by 14% to Rs 1,70,620.
In 2021-22, Assam’s unemployment rate was 4.9%, lower than the national unemployment rate of 6.6%.
Assam Budget Estimates for 2023-24
Total expenditure (excluding debt repayment) in 2023-24 is targeted at Rs 1,35,348 crore. This expenditure is proposed to be met through receipts (excluding borrowings) of Rs 1,14,392 crore and net borrowings of Rs 20,645 crore. Total receipts for 2023-24 (other than borrowings) are expected to register an increase of 2.3% over the revised estimate of 2022-23.
Capital outlay for 2023-24 is proposed to be Rs 23,822 crore. Capital outlay indicates the expenditure towards creation of assets.
Assam Govt Receipts in 2023-24
Total revenue receipts for 2023-24 are estimated to be Rs 1,14,085 crore, an increase of 2% over the revised estimate of 2022-23. Of this, Rs 37,012 crore (32%) will be raised by the state through its own resources, and Rs 77,072 crore (68%) will come from the centre.
Devolution: In 2023-24, state’s share in central taxes is estimated at Rs 31,951 crore.
Grants from the centre in 2023-24 is estimated at Rs 45,121 crore.
State’s own tax revenue: Assam’s own tax revenue is estimated to be Rs 30,002 crore in 2023-24, an increase of 20% over the revised estimate of 2022-23.
In 2023-24, State GST is estimated to be the largest source of own tax revenue (52% share).
Sales tax/VAT constitutes 26% of Assam’s own tax revenue.
Revenue from state excise, taxes on vehicles, and stamps duty and registration fees is expected to increase by 29%, 16%, and 21% respectively in 2023-24 as compared to the revised estimate for 2022-23.
A scheme will be launched to promote micro-entrepreneurs for creating self-employment opportunities in trading, manufacturing, service, food processing, handloom, handicraft, agriculture, and allied activities.
₹1000 crore has been allocated in this budget to the Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission. The Mukhya Mantri Sva-Niyojan Mission scheme proposes to promote microentrepreneurship among families below the poverty line and low income-households. Under the scheme, seed capital of two lakh rupees each will be given to one lakh beneficiaries. The sectors covered under the scheme will include manufacturing, food processing, and handicraft. A further one lakh youth entrepreneurs will be provided project-based subsidies.
The Assam Government aims to complete the recruitment of another 40,000 candidates by May 10, 2023.
Governance Sector
The legislation will be introduced to ensure the mobility of government personnel from one department to another for optimum utilization of manpower. Though the employee will continue to be on payroll of his department, his services can be effectively utilized by others.
Sports Sector
The state government has proposed to allocate Rs 200 crore for the development of the sports sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the construction of new sports facilities and the up-gradation of existing ones.
Road Infrastructure Development Sector
Under the Asom Mala project, the state government will construct and repair around 5,000 km of roads and bridges at an estimated cost of Rs 3,000 crore.
Tourism Sector
An additional sum of Rs 100.02 Crs has been allocated in this budget towards the development of the tourism sector of the state. The transformation and Development Department has been given Rs 645.37 Cr towards the holistic development of the villages of the state.
Handloom & Textiles Sector
The Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 100 crore for the development of the handloom and textile sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the up-gradation of existing handloom clusters and the establishment of new ones.
Development & welfare Sector
The Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 1,000 crore for the Mukhya Mantri Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (MMSGU) to ensure the holistic development of rural areas in the state.
Mission for Prevention of Child Marriage: All Gram Panchayat Secretaries will be designated as Child Marriage Prevention Officers. These officers will ensure prohibition of child marriages, protection of victims, and prosecution of offenders. The scheme aims to make Assam free of child marriage by 2026.
New ration cards will be issued to select 40 lakh new beneficiaries under NFSA, and ₹404.94 crores have been allocated for this.
Rs 200 Cr was earmarked towards the prevention of child marriages in the state.
More than 20 lakh houses have already been geo-tagged under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), out of which 15.5 lakh households are eligible. Assam Government received the sanction for 3.3 lakh houses as of now from the Government of India.
Mukhya Mantri Awaas Yojana: In the year 2023-24, 1 lakh beneficiaries will be covered under this scheme, and ₹800 crore allocated towards this.
Education Sector
In order to boost health care facilities along with medical education our government has decided to start functioning of three more new Medical Colleges at Kokrajhar, Nalbari and Nagaon from the next academic session 2023.
Another four new Medical Colleges are coming up at Tinsukia, Charaideo, Bishanath and one at Kamrup(M) district and construction of the same is going on at a rapid pace.
In addition to these, construction of another eight new Medical Colleges at Karimganj, Goalpara, Tamulpur, Bongaigaon, Dhemaji, Morigaon, Golaghat and Sibsagar have been taken up by the Government.
Apart from that, MBBS and PG (MD/MS) seats have been increased considerably (1500 seats for MBBS, 722 seats for PG course and 46 seats for DM/M.Ch in various super specialty disciplines).
Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 500 crore for the development of the education sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for various initiatives such as the construction of new schools, the up-gradation of existing schools, and the introduction of new courses in higher education. ₹1 crore will be provided to 500 High Schools for furniture, smart classrooms, teaching learning 16 materials and sports infrastructure.
upgradation of 214 high schools to higher secondary level. Improvement of the infrastructure of the existing educational institutions including schools and colleges was also mentioned along with the creation of 6 engineering colleges and 8 polytechnics.
With a focus on improving the education infrastructure in our tea garden areas, another 100 new Tea garden High schools will be taken up this year. To fund this, Assam Government to pool resources from various schemes; such as PM-DeVINE, RIDF, NESIDS and State Budget.
Students securing 1st rank in class IX will be provided with tablets which will be connected with a central agency providing educational material and mentorship. – Assam Government to provide Free Bicycle to all the students studying in Class-IX in Government and Provincialized Secondary Schools.
Providing free text-books and textbook assistance to students upto graduation.
Hostel mess dues waiver of a maximum ₹2000 per month for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in degree and polytechnic colleges.
Scooty to all meritorious boys and girls who secure first division in the higher secondary examination
Mobility grant of ₹10,000 per year to post-graduate students- excluding medical students – Admission fee waiver to all BPL students.
Scholarship to students belonging to SC, ST, minority and tea-garden community – Abhinandan Scheme – Assam Government to continue to provide interest subvention on educational loans to our students.
Assam Government to upgrade Sibsagar college, Kokrajhar Government college, Bongaigaon college, Jagannath Barooah College in Jorhat, North Lakhimpur College, Handique Girl’s college, Nagaon College and Gurucharan college in Silchar into universities by introducing enabling legislations.
A new University by the name- of Shahid Kanaklata Barua State University will be established at Gohpur, as a tribute to the great freedom fighter of Assam and to further improve the standards of higher education in the North Bank.
A satellite campus of Bodoland University will be established in Udalguri.
Healthcare Sector
Assam aims to become the hub of healthcare in Northeast India by 2026 and is setting up infrastructure accordingly.
Mukhya Mantri Ayushman Asom Yojana: The Assam government is launching Mukhya Mantri Ayushman Asom Yojana to provide cashless treatment worth ₹5 lacks to 27 lakh additional families of the state. Health insurance coverage amounting to five lakh rupees would be extended to 27 lakh additional families, identified from the list of beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013. ₹135 crore was allocated for this scheme.
And 1000 new ambulances will be provided to medical facilities across the state to serve the people.
Assam Urban Health Mission (AUHM) to launch with an aim to provide affordable, accessible and quality healthcare for the urban population – The major components of the mission will include the identification of existing gaps, area-specific and need-based interventions, and extending primary healthcare services with a strong linkage to secondary and tertiary care services.
Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) or Newborn Stabilization Unit (NBSU) will be established in each such FRUs to take special care of sick newborns and low birth weight babies.
Focus will be also given to upgrading obstetric facilities at the secondary level. Immunization and free diagnostic facilities will be strengthened.
Agriculture Sector
The state government has proposed to allocate Rs 50 crore for the development of the sericulture sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the up-gradation of existing sericulture farms and the establishment of new ones.
exemption of electrical duty on renewable energy generation and a three-year tax holiday on agricultural income.
Heritage & Culture Sector
In this financial year, under Assam Darshan scheme, Assam Government proposed to cover 8000 new Namghars. The government also proposed to cover within it, religious institutions having higher tourist footfalls and where common festivals are celebrated. ₹2.5 lakh of fund per institution will be provided.
Further, under the revamped Assam Darshan scheme an amount of ₹15 lakh each will be provided for ancient religious institutions- Namghar, Mandir, Mosque, Church, Gurudwara which are more than 100 years old. ₹180 crore has been allocated for this scheme.
Drawing inspiration from Kashi-Vishwanath Corridor, Assam Government seeks to develop Kamakhya Corridor to ease the movement of devotees and enhance the ambience by connecting it with the Brahmaputra river.
Financial Assistance
The Assam government will launch the ‘Bhumiheen Rin Kosh’ scheme to provide financial assistance to landless people to purchase land for residential purposes. The scheme will cover 1 lakh beneficiaries and will have an allocation of Rs 500 crore.
The Assam Microfinance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AFMIRS) has provided assistance worth ₹1,789 crores to around 10 lakh borrowers.
₹500 crores has been earmarked to support stressed and destitute women borrowers, whose accounts have become Non-Performing Assets, as of March 31, 2021.
– Assam Government to further enhance Orunodoi entitlement by ₹150, making it ₹1400 per beneficiary per month by the end of this financial year. ₹3420 crore was earmarked for this scheme.
Assam Government subsuming ‘Indira Miri Universal Widow Pension Scheme’ and ‘Deen Dayal Dibyangjan Pension Achoni’ into Orunodoi, following the principle of ‘one family – one scheme’ to benefit the Antyodaya of the state. – With this, beneficiaries of these two schemes, presently receiving 300 Rs and 1000 Rs respectively, will get ₹1250 From 2023-24 onwards.
Fisheries Sectors
The state government has proposed to allocate Rs 100 crore for the development of the fishery sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the construction of new fish markets and the up-gradation of existing ones.
Tea Sectors
The Assam government has proposed to allocate Rs 50 crore for the development of the tea sector in the state. The funds will be utilized for the up-gradation of existing tea gardens and the establishment of new ones.
Roadshows in major cities across the country as well as abroad to promote Assam Tea as a brand and showcase the rich socio-cultural heritage of tea garden communities to celebrate 200 years of Assam tea. Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme (ATISIS), 2020 will be further strengthened to incentivize the production of orthodox tea and speciality tea in Assam. Increase in the production subsidy for orthodox and speciality 19 tea from ₹7 to ₹10 per kg is already under process.
Under the “Wage Compensation Scheme for Pregnant Women of Tea Garden Areas of Assam”, the compensation amount will be enhanced to ₹15,000 from the existing ₹12,000.
For the construction of 500 Mahaprabhu Jagannath Community Hall cum Skill Centres in the prominent localities of tea gardens, our government has already made a provision for ₹200 crore in this year’s budget.
The Assam Finance Commission was constituted on 23rd June, 1995.
The Finance Commission is constituted by the President under Article 280 of the Constitution, mainly to give its recommendations on distribution of tax revenues between the Union and the States and amongst the States themselves.
The Assam Finance Commission review the financial position of the Local Bodies namely the Panchayats and Municipalities and put forward to the Government the recommendations relating to the distribution between the State of Assam and the Panchayats / Municipalities of the nett proceeds of the taxes, duties, tolls and fees.
State Finance Commission (SFC)
The State Finance Commission (SFC) is a Constitutional body, formed under the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. It recommends the transfer of funds from the State Government to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and provides suggestions for augmenting their resources. Municipalities and city councils are also brought under the purview of the State Finance Commission as per Article 243-Y.
The Governor of a State appoints a Finance Commission, every five years in accordance with Article 243-I of the Indian Constitution.
Every recommendation of the State Finance Commission and subsequent action taken by the State Government must be brought before the State legislature by the Governor.
Functions of State Finance Commission:
State Finance Commission’s functions are comparable to that of the Central Finance Commission, which, in accordance with Article 280 of the Indian Constitution, is appointed by the President of India and is in charge of allocating central revenues to the Union and state governments.
Some of the functions of the State Finance Commission are:
A State Finance Commission examines the financial position of the panchayats and municipal organizations in a state and offers recommendations to the Governor.
It gives suggestions to the Governor regarding the policies that should control how taxes, tariffs, levies, and toll fees collected by the state are divided between the state and its Panchayati Raj Institutions at all levels.
To implement numerous measures to enhance the financial conditions of various local authorities and Panchayati Raj Institutions.
To serve as a liaison for financial matters between the Union and State governments for local bodies.
The Grant-in-Aid to Local Bodies from the consolidated fund of the state.
Utilising the funds that the state government receives from the Union government.
Disbursement of funds from the State’s consolidated fund to various municipal organizations and Panchayati Raj Institutions of the state.
Measures for the overall advancement of Panchayat’s finances.
On February 21, 2023, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2023, which has provided much higher outlays for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) during the Financial Year 2023-24.
With the objective of seeking a significant impact in the North Eastern Region (NER), emphasis has been laid on enhancing capital expenditure in the NE Region. By way of devolution Northeast India will get Rs 78,500 Crore. For flagship schemes the budget has allocated Rs 5000 Crore more this year.
Enhanced outlays are provided towards supporting the initiatives with special focus for the ST and SC communities; and the livelihoods of the women and the youth in NE Region.
There have been significant increases in the MDoNER Scheme-wise outlays also, that will increase the impact in infrastructure, social-development and livelihood sectors in the NER.
The quantum of funds to be earmarked by the various Central Ministries / Departments in the NER as per the 10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) stipulations have also been significantly enhanced.
Some of the major ongoing infrastructure projects in NER such as Capital Connectivity Roads and Rail-Lines, Air Connectivity, Power, Telecom, Petroleum & Natural Gas etc. are financed under 10% GBS.
Some of the announcements related to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) are:
There is a step-jump in the budget outlay for the MDoNER during the Financial Year 2023-24. The total B.E. 2023-2024 allocation is Rs. 5892.00 crore; well over twice (~114% higher than) the RE 2022-23 allocation of Rs. 2755.05 crore.
Out of this, Rs 4093.25 crore (~70%) is provided for Capital expenditure. In addition, Rs. 1,324.03 crore further from within the amount of Rs. 1,798.75 crore provided for Revenue Expenditure is as grants for creation of capital assets.
This is tantamount to provisioning of Rs. 5,417.28 crore (~92%) out of Rs. 5,892.00 crores as B.E. 2023-24 outlay for MDoNER towards expenditure of capital nature.
The total B.E. 2023-2024 allocation for the infrastructure targeted North East Special Infrastructure Development (NESID) Scheme is Rs. 2,491.00 crore; well over (~67% higher than) the RE 2022-23 allocation of Rs. 1,493.30 crore.
The total B.E. 2023-2024 allocation for the infrastructure, social development and livelihoods targeted Prime Ministers Development Initiative for North-East (PMDevINE) Scheme is Rs. 2,200.00 crore; four and a half times the RE 2022-23 allocation of Rs. 400.00 crore. PM-DevINE was announced in the union budget to address developmental gaps in the northeastern region.
The total B.E. 2023-2024 allocation for the overall wholistic development, social infrastructure and social development targeted Schemes of North Eastern Council (NEC) is Rs. 800.00 crore ; (~20% higher than) the RE 2022-23 allocation of Rs. 666.87 crore.
As per Expenditure Profile of Union Budget 2023-24 Statement-11, the 10% GBS share for the NER comes to Rs. 94,679.53 (~31% higher than) the RE 2022-23 allocation of Rs. 72.540.28 crore under 10% GBS share of the 55 non-exempt Ministries / Departments.
The allocation for Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) out of the B.E. outlay for 2023-24 has been enhanced to Rs. 1690.00 crore or over twice (~101% higher than) the RE 2022-23 allocation of Rs. 839.95 crore for TSP.
The allocation for Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) out of the B.E. outlay for 2023-24 has been enhanced to Rs. 488.00 crore or nearly one and a half times (~48% higher than) the RE 2022-23 allocation of Rs. 330.54 crore for SCSP.
In comparison to the actual expenditure of Rs. 24,819.18 crore in 2014-15, the B.E. 2023-24 provision for 10% GBS shows an increase of Rs. 71,860.35 crore ; nearly thrice ( ~281% higher than) the actual expenditure in 2014-15.
In aggregate, a total of Rs. 3,37,000 crore was spent in the period from 2014-15 to 2021-22. Together with the anticipated expenditures of Rs. 72,540.28 crore in 2022-23 and Rs. 94,679.53 crore in 2023-24, the aggregate expenditure in NER under the 10% GBS stipulation is likely to reach Rs. 5,00,000 crore in the decade from 2014-15 to 2023-24.
For the first time an amount of Rs 1.20 lakh crore has been earmarked for connecting the hilly and border areas of the region.
Funds for Railway Development in Assam & North East States
Adequate fund has been allotted for the overall development of railway infrastructure in all Northeastern states. Union Budget 2023 has allocated 19 projects of Rs. 75,795 crore for the Railways in Assam and NorthEast. 19 projects covering 2,008 Km is are currently in process at Assam and other Northeastern regions.
Under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 59 stations in the North East will be developed with world-class amenities/facilities. The list of stations that will be benefited under the scheme are: Naharalagun (Itanagar), Amguri, Arunachal, Chaparmukh, DhemajiDhubriDibrugarh, Diphu, Duliajan, Fakiragram Jn., Gauripur, Gohpur, Golaghat, Gosaigaon hat. Haibargaon, Harmuti, HojaiJagiroad, Jorhat Town, Kamakhya. Kokrajhar, Lanka, Ledo, Lumding, Majbat, MakumJn, Margherita, Mariani, Murkongsolek, Naharkatia, Nalbari. Namrup, Narangi, New Bongaigaon, New Haflong, New Karimganj, New Tinsukia, North Lakhimpur, Pathshala, Rangapara North, RangiyaJn, SarupatharSilapathar, Silchar, Simalguri, Sivasagar Town, Tangla, Tinsukia, Udalguri, ViswanathChariali, Imphal, Sairang (Aizawl), Dimapur, Rangpo, Agartala, Dharmanagar, Kumarghat, Udaypur.
15 stations each in all divisions of NFR to be developed under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
The Union Budget 2023-24 has earmarked Rs 10,988.80 crore for the development of railways in the North East. It is 13.75 per cent more than the previous year’s allotment (Rs 9,660.14 crore).
Total railway infrastructure projects of Rs 75,795 crore are going on in the entire Northeastern region. An adequate allocation has been made for the early execution of all the ongoing works. Around Rs 1,100 crore has been allocated for Dimapur-Kohima new line projects while Rs 800 crore is earmarked for the execution of the Jiribam-Imphal new line projects.
Other capital connectivity projects in the Northeastern states such as Sivok – Rangpo new line projects in Sikkim gets Rs 2,350 crore while Rs 915 crore has been allocated for Bairabi-Sairang new line projects in Mizoram.
Among other new line projects, Rs 200 crore for Agartala-Akhaura international connectivity project between India and Bangladesh and around Rs 700 crore is allocated for Araria – Galgalia project.
Rs 600 crore for New Bongaigaon – Rangiya-Kamakhya and Rs 500 crore for New Bongaigaon-Goalpara-Kamakhya has been allocated for speedy execution of the ongoing track doubling works, he also said.
Moreover, Rs 115 crore has been allocated for the doubling works between Katihar-Kumedpur and Katihar-Mukuria sections to further improve train connectivity to and from Northeast.
Agthori station near Guwahati will be redeveloped with world-class facilities for Rs 517 crore.
Acknowledgment
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma “Assam Govt will be richer by Rs 10,000 Crore following the Union budget 2023-24. CM Sarma said, “We have calculated and Assam will be richer by Rs 10,000 following the budget. This part only relates to untied fund. Once we calculate the money from the schemes it will be much more.”
While grant of Panchayats is increased by 15 percent grant of town committees is increased by 61 percent. “SDRF grant is increased by 5 percent and Central sector allocation is enhanced by 5 percent. The interest free loan amount of Assam is increased to Rs 6000 Crore.”
Assam will get an additional Rs 6400 crore of untied funds from the budget than the previous year. From some Rs 25,000 crore annually, this budget has allocated Rs 31, 950 Crore for Assam which is a hike of Rs 6,400 Crore. That means that now the state government will get around Rs 550 Crore more from the Centre monthly.”
Currently, the state government receives around Rs 18,000 Crore monthly from the Centre as untied funds which the state government can utilize at its own will.
Federation of Industry and Commerce of North Eastern Region (FINER) has hailed the Budget 2023, welcoming the budget, Bajrang Lohia said that the Finance Minister presented a citizen-centric, growth-oriented budget, which clearly sets the priorities going ahead, aiming at a stable tax regime. The budget focuses on the youth, women, and disadvantaged in general, and strives for enabling opportunities among the people.
The announcement of laying Rs.2491 crore for the North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme is a huge relief to the industry fraternity of the region. Under the scheme, 100 percent centrally funding is provided to the State governments of North Eastern Region for the projects of physical infrastructure relating to water supply, power and connectivity enhancing tourism and social infrastructure relating to primary and secondary sectors of education and health.
Q5. The term Black Revolution in the present context of India is associated with
Higher exportability of crude oil
Self dependence in the production of crude oil
Improvement in the quality of black soil
Self dependence in milk production
Correct option: (B) Self-dependence in the production of crude oil
Black Revolution: To increase petroleum production, the Government planned to accelerate the production of ethanol and to mix it up with petrol to produce biodiesel. Ethanol is a renewable source of energy and is a by-product of sugar production produced from molasses. The blending of ethanol with petrol has been practiced in the USA and Brazil for over 70 years. The blending of ethanol with transport fuels would provide better returns to farmers, supplement scarce resources of hydrocarbons, and be environment-friendly by reducing pollutants as it helps combustion.
Topic to focus : Economic revolutions
Q23. Which statement among the following is not true about GST council?
It is a statutory body
It is chaired by the PM of the country
It decides the rates of taxes on goods and services except some items
It was constituted by the President of India
Correct option: (B) is not true
Union Finance Minister is the Chairman of the GST Council
In true sense, this Question is wrong.
GST Council is a constitutional body under Article 279A. It makes recommendations to the Union and State Government on issues related to Goods and Service Tax and was introduced by the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016.
The GST Council is chaired by the Union Finance Minister and other members are the Union State Minister of Revenue or Finance and Ministers in-charge of Finance or Taxation of all the States.
Thus, both the option (A) and (B) are incorrect. But, if you have to choose one out of these, then its’ option (B).
Topic to focus : Economic bodies
Q24. The National Bamboo Mission strives to
(i) Increase the area under bamboo plantation in non-forest areas.
(ii) Rejuvenate the underdeveloped bamboo industry in India
(iii) Take over the sick paper mills in the country
(iv) Explore the export market for bamboo
(i) and (ii)
(i) and (iii)
(i), (ii) and (iii)
(i), (ii) and (iv)
Correct option: (A) (i) and (ii)
Objectives of the National Bamboo Mission
To increase the area under bamboo plantations in non-forest Government and private lands to supplement farm income and contribute towards resilience to climate change as well as the availability of quality raw material requirement of industries. The bamboo plantations will be promoted predominantly in farmers’ fields, homesteads, community lands, arable wastelands, and along irrigation canals, water bodies, etc.
To improve post-harvest management through the establishment of innovative primary processing units near the source of production, primary treatment and seasoning plants, preservation technologies, and market infrastructure.
To promote product development keeping in view market demand, by assisting R&D, entrepreneurship & business models at micro, small and medium levels and feed bigger industry.
To rejuvenate the underdeveloped bamboo industry in India.
To promote skill development, capacity building, awareness generation for development of bamboo sector from production to market demand.
To realign efforts so as to reduce dependency on import of bamboo and bamboo products by way of improved productivity and suitability of domestic raw material for industry, so as to enhance income of the primary producers.
Q25. Which one of the following correctly describes Angel Tax
A tax imposed on the super-rich people
A tax relief for doing social work
A type of capital gains tax imposed when startups receive funding, which is higher than the fair market value of shares sold.
A tax relief given to startups for doing innovative work
Correct option: (C) A type of capital gains tax imposed when startups receive funding, which is higher than the fair market value of shares sold.
Angel Tax is a term basically used to refer to the income tax payable on the capital raised by unlisted companies via the issue of shares through off-market transactions. Angel tax is levied on the capital raised via the issue of shares by unlisted companies from an Indian investor if the share price of issued shares is seen in excess of the fair market value of the company. The excess realization is considered as income and therefore, taxed accordingly.
Topic to focus : Taxation types
ECONOMY – Assam
Q29. We often hear the term ‘CTC’ in the context of Assam Tea. What does CTC stand for?
Crush, Tear, Curl
Curl, Tear, Crush
Check, thrash, curl
Check, tear, curl
Correct option: (A) Crush, tear, curl
Crush, tear, curl is a method of processing black tea in which the leaves are passed through a series of cylindrical rollers with hundreds of sharp teeth that crush, tear, and curl the tea into small, hard pellets. This replaces the final stage of orthodox tea manufacture, in which the leaves are rolled into strips. Tea produced using this method is generally called CTC tea or mamri tea.
The first CTC machine was brought into service in 1930 at the Amgoorie Tea Garden in Assam under the supervision of Sir William McKercher.
Topic to focus : Assam Tea
Q32. Which of the following became the first state/UT in India to present an e-budget and stream it live on social media as well?
Andhra Pradesh
Kerala
Assam
Delhi
Correct option: (C) Assam
Andhra Pradesh is the first state to present its budget in the digital format in 2016. However, Assam is the first state to present e-budget and stream it live on social media.
Q1. The first oil well dug at Digboi field in Assam in September 1889 and completed in November 1890 by which company?
Assam Railways and Trading Company
Assam Oil Company
East India Company
Assam Tea Company
a. Assam Railways and Trading Company
This was the first commercial discovery of crude oil in India the country.
In 1901, Asia’s first oil refinery was set as Digboi.
Digboi has the distinction of being the world’s oldest continuously producing oilfield.
Q2. Assam’s rank among the Indian states, in terms of Crude Oil Production is
First
Second
Third
Fourth
c. Third
Rajasthan is largest producer of crude oil production with approx 23.3% of India’s production
Gujarat comes second.
Q3. Which sector employs maximum share of total workforce in Assam?
Agriculture sector
Service sector
Industrial sector
Mining
a.Agriculture sector
Agriculture accounts for around two-third of Assam’s total workforce.
Q4. What is Assam’s GDP in 2022?
₹4.81 lakh crore
₹2.81 lakh crore
₹5.81 lakh crore
₹3.81 lakh crore
a. ₹4.81 lakh crore
Q5. What is Assam’s rank among the Indian states, in terms of GDP per capita rank?
28th
21st
18th
30th
a. 28th
TOP States in GDP per capita
1
Goa
2
Sikkim
3
Delhi
4
Chandigarh
5
Haryana
Q6. Recently in 2022, Pineapple from which place of Assam has been exported to Dubai?
Margherita
Lakhipur
Sadiya
Sonari
b. Lakhipur
Q7. What is Assam’s share in India’s total tea production?
One-third
Three-fourth
More than half
Almost 90%
c.More than half
Annual average production of tea in Assam is about 630- 700 million kg.
India ranks in global tea production? 2nd. [1st China]
Q8. Which of the following statement(s) is/are correct about Assam Tea?
Tea in Assam is grown in lowlands, unlike Darjeelings and Nilgiris, which are grown in the highlands
Assam tea is generally harvested twice
Assam’s tropical climate contributes to the unique malty taste of Assam tea
All of the above
d.All of the above
Q9. Assam is known for producing both Orthodox as well as CTC variety of tea. CTC stand for?
Curl, Tear & Crush
Crush, Tear & Crush
Crush, Tear & Crunch
Crush, Tear & Curl
d. Crush, Tear & Curl
CTC Tea – At the start of the 20th century when tea drinking caught on in the UK, British tea companies started experiments in Assam and the CTC method invented and used to the increase volume of tea. CTC is the acronym for Crush, Tear & Curl. It describes the factory process used to make the tea which is similar to that of orthodox tea manufacture but instead of the leaves being rolled as a final stage, they are passed through a series of cylindrical rollers with hundreds of small sharp “teeth” that Crush, Tear, and Curl the leaf into tiny little balls.
Q10. Makum Coalfield is located in which district of Assam?
Karbi Anglong
Lakhimpur
Tinsukia
Golaghat
c.Tinsukia
Makum coal mines are network of four opencast and underground mines operated by North Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India, with a capacity of 1 million ton-per-annum (MTPA)
The Finance Minister of Assam, Ms. Ajanta Neog, who is also Assam’s first woman Finance Minister, presented a deficit budget of Rs 566 crore for the state for the Fiscal Year 2022-23 on March 16, 2022.
Four new schemes for road construction announced – Pakipath Nirman Achani, Unnoti Pakipath Nirman Achani, Mothauri Pokikaran Achani and Path Nobikaran Achani for construction, upgradation and maintenance of all-weather roads, including those on embankments.
Two major bridges to come up over Subansiri at Dhunaguri and Luit with help from government of India and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
A bridge linking Majuli with Bihpuria and Nemati is also in progress.
Trumpet Junction to be built at Gauripur, North Guwahati to enhance utility of the bridge over Brahmaputra.
Four roads under Asom Mala to be upgraded in 2022-23, with 19 new road over bridges being taken up.
A new flyover project to be taken up in Mancota Road in Dibrugarh and a new elevated road at GNB Road in Guwahati.
Aviation Sector Development
Reduction of 1 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for aircraft. Proposal to start new scheme to facilitate cheaper air connectivity from Guwahati to Lakhimpur, Dibrugarh, Silchar and Tezpur.
Proposal for new airports in Karbi Anglong and Silchar, along with three new heliports at Nagaon, Geleki and Haflong.
Active engagement with government of India for a Greenfield Airport at Diphu.
Joint survey for de-notification of 180 acres of forest land for development of Rupsi Airport.
Allotment of ₹156 crore for acquisition of 50 acres of land for Jorhat Airport, ₹50 crore for acquisition of 870 acres of land for Greenfield Airport at Silchar and ₹3.56 crore for acquisition of 84 acres of land for Lilabari Airport at North Lakhimpur.
Water Transport Development
Assam Inland Water Transport Development Society to develop 13 small terminals on National Waterway 2 on Brahmaputra at Umananda, Uzan Bazar, Kurua, Guijan, Ghaghor, Kachari, Goalpara, North Guwahati, Aphalamukh, Neemati Ghat, Matmora and Disangmukh.
Development of Art & Culture
Projects to preserve Eksarana Dharma undertaken at Bordowa Than in Narayanpur and Gangmou Satra
New project to come up at Patbaushi Satra. ₹2.5 lakh to each of 1,260 namghars under Assam Darshan Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra to have a 4th auditorium for ₹5 crores.
Preservation and beautification of Lachit Borphukan Samadhi at Hollongapar, along with a digital documentary film and organising lectures in Delhi and Mumbai.
Allocation of ₹7 crore for Alaboi War Memorial to honour 10,000 Ahom martyrs.
Jorhat Jail to be developed as North East Freedom Fighter’s Memorial Park, and Maniram Dewan Samadhi and Gomdhar Konwar Samadhi at Jorhat to be renovated. Light and sound show to come up at Rang Ghar, Sivasagar to attract international tourists.
An estimated cost of Rupees 15 crore is earmarked for land possession for Pratima Pandey Barua Museum at Gauripur of Dhubri for the preservation of memories of the iconic folk singer and for the promotion of Goalparia folk song as well.
Plan to organize North-East festival of Indigenous and Tribal Culture and games to showcase the indigenous culture to the international audience and 10 colleges in Bodoland Territorial Region will be provincialized.
₹28.80 crores earmarked for Bhasha Gourab Scheme which provides corpus funds to 21 indigenous Sahitya Sabhas and one-time assistance to authors under Lekhak Sambardhana.
Welfare
For the holistic development of Tai Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutia and Koch-Rajbongshi Rupees 25 crore is earmarked in the present budget.
OBC communities to have their own authorized organizations to recommend the issuance of caste certificates to the community members.
Proposed plan to allow up to 50 bigha per tribal family by removing the upper ceiling of 8 bigha under Assam Land Policy, 2019.
Mission Basundhara 2.0 has been introduced to offer next-generation land-related services. This will enable the realization of land revenue from the rightful owner and allow them to use the land as collateral to unlock the value of the land.
All post-retirement benefits will be ensured for state government employees including payment of GPF, Gratuity, Leave Encashment and GIS through a single-window interface.
₹129.89 crores is earmarked towards interest subvention for state government employees under Apun Ghar and Bidyalakshmi scheme at a subsidized rate of interest.
3 percent increase in Dearness Allowance in addition to the 11 percent already provided to state government employees and pensioners.
Employment
APSC to fill 13,572 Class III and 13,787 Class IV posts and finalize 3,587 Grade-I and 1,568 Grade-II vacancies. Compassionate Appointment for 930 posts in Education Department and Sixth Schedule Areas to be completed soon to meet target of 1 lakh jobs.
Mahaprabhu Jagannath Community and Skill Centre in 800 tea gardens will be formed to provide training to the tea tribe youth and to organise community-based events.
Youth Commission to be set up under Mukhya Mantri Vikas aru Niyog Asoni. Candidates will be enrolled in intensive coaching for employment in all India/State/ Civil services /SSC/ Banking/ Insurance sectors/ PSUs/ Central Armed Police Forces.
Financial Assistance
Incentives under Category-1 of Assam Micro Finance Incentive and Relief Scheme (AMFIRS) to be disbursed before Bohag Bihu in the remaining 7 districts of Assam. Government to pay overdue amounts of Category-2 and clear outstanding debt of Category-3 borrowers whose accounts have turned NPA and for the purpose a total budget of Rupees 2,500 crores allotted.
Orunodoi assistance enhanced to Rupees 1,250 per month from the upcoming financial year with Rupees 250 additional subsidy for 50 units of electricity.
Education
436 schools in tea garden areas to be brought under the ambit of state government and 117 Model High Schools in gardens to run from 10 May of this year.
Mission Zero Drop-Out will be launched for the identification and mapping of vulnerable girl children and customized plans to provide child-specific interventions such as conditional cash transfer.
Continuation of Pragyan Bharati scheme with free textbooks, hostel mess dues waiver, and admission fee waiver for Below Poverty Line (BPL) students, scooters to meritorious students.
Rupees 10,000 mobility grant to girls, education loan under Abhinandan and Anundoram Barooah Award.
Aarohan relaunched where girls and boys secured the first position in Class IX to be given exposure to premier academic institutions such as IIT Guwahati.
₹2000 to be given to every student as a book grant & mobility grant, with the allotment of ₹1 lakh per district.
Sibsagar College, Kokrajhar Government College, Bongaigaon College, Jagannath Barooah College, North Lakhimpur College, Handique Girls’ College and Nagaon college to be elevated into universities. ₹10 crore to each college as grants-in-aid for capital expenditure.
NIDA Fund of ₹50 crore each to Majuli University, Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhattadev University, Madhabdev University, Birangana Sati Sadhini State University and Aniruddhadev Sports University.
₹25 crores to Gauhati University for start-up ecosystem.
₹15 crores each to Assam University, Tezpur University and Silchar University. ₹25 crores to Assam Agriculture University.
TISS Guwahati to get ₹15 crores and ₹10 crores for IIIT Guwahati.
₹10 crores earmarked for Science block in Haflong College.
Grant-in aids for payment of 75% salary for Srimanta Sankardeva Vishwa Vidyalaya. Faculty members can withdraw salary in 12 equal installments without a ceiling.
Corporate & Industry
Disinvestment strategy for Assam Tea Corporation Limited and payment of outstanding provident fund liabilities by 2023-24 for Rupees 142.5 crores.
New Industrial and Investment Policy, 2022 to boost industrial growth.
Hospitals, hotels and cruise services, shipbuilding and vehicle scrap processing facility will be included in the industrial sector for various incentives under the new policy.
Environment & Conservation
Seuj Axom Abhijan to increase green cover in Assam from 36 percent and to 38 percent in five years using the Miyawaki model.
Establishment of Assam Agro-Forestry Development Board.
Introduction of 200 electric vehicles and 100 CNG buses for ₹250crore under Smart City project in Guwahati.
Renovation of 241 anti-poaching camps in Golaghat, Nagaon, Biswanath and Sonitpur districts. 35 km elevated corridor for safe passage of animals from Kaziranga to Karbi Anglong for ₹4,865 crore.
Nine elephant corridors to be notified.
832 hectare land acquisition for Kaziranga National Park. ₹48.08 crore for land compensation to 1,085 displaced families.
Finalization of Eco-Sensitive Zone of integrated Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
Healthcare
Construction of seven more cancer hospitals in Dibrugarh, Barpeta, Kokrajhar, Tezpur, Jorhat, Lakhimpur and Darrang to commence within 2022-23.
Robotic Surgery unit earmarked for State Cancer Institute, GMCH for ₹15 crore.
Proposal to set up three new medical colleges at Sivasagar, Karimganj and Goalpara, along with a super-specialty hospital at IIT Guwahati.
Construction of medical colleges at Dhemaji, Bongaigaon, Morigaon, Golaghat and Tamulpur to start this year.
Expansion of primary healthcare with the establishment of 1,000 Buniyadi Swasthya Kendras and upgrading 200 sub-centers.
New Ayurvedic Colleges to be set up at Dudhnoi and Palashbari. One BSc Nursing College and GNM Nursing School for each medical college.
District hospitals in Barpeta, Silchar, Diphu, Jorhat, Tezpur and Lakhimpur to be upgraded to super-specialty hospitals for ₹3,798 crores.
Sneha Sparsh Plus scheme to cover rehabilitation costs for children suffering from cerebral palsy.
Dedicated IT portal to be launched for a simplified medical reimbursement process for state government employees.
Empanelled hospitals to be withdrawn so that employees can avail treatment at the hospital of their choice.
Agriculture
Extensive training and demonstration for promotion of natural farming. International Year of Millets to be celebrated in 2023.
Fodder Mission proposed to be set up. 40 seed farms under Assam Seed Corporation Limited and Directorate of Agriculture with the allocation of ₹10 crores.
Decentralized Procurement Scheme for Kharif Marketing Season 2022-23.
150 Paddy procurement centres and at least 30 rice receiving depots to be set up.
Power Sector
₹4000 crores earmarked for Mukhya Mantri Souro Shakti Prokolpo to increase the generation of clean energy by installing solar power generation plants with an aggregated installed capacity of 1,000 Mega Watts.
₹2,127 crores for 120 MW Lower Kopili Hydro Electric Project.
Two projects of 46.5 MW on the Borpani river are in progress.
₹2500 crores earmarked for 10MW Namrup Replacement Power Project Phase-II and 100MW Namrup Gas Engine Project.
Urban Development
Amrit Guwahati Integrated Global City (Amrit GiG City) to be developed as a new-age, world-class integrated business city. Spread across 1,000 acres, it will have a world-class infrastructure for next-generation industries.
