Not expecting special package for Assam: Economists

GUWAHATI: There might not be any Assam-specific announcements in the Union Budget, given that the nation’s economy needs a boost after the Covid-19 pandemic, economists here said. However, they were hopeful that there could be allocations for certain sectors, especially since Assam is heading to polls.Despite pressure on the government to limit expenditure on welfare schemes, economic analyst Devajit Mahanta said he expects Assam to get special attention. “Since 2014, we have not seen a state-specific budget, instead the government has pumped into pan-Indian schemes. In the last Union Budget, except for Sivasagar getting placed among five locations to be developed as iconic sites, there was nothing specific to Assam. But this year we are expecting some announcement for enhancing rail connectivity — doubling of rail tracks and electrification — that has got momentum in Assam under the NDA,” Mahanta said.He said among other projects, financial allocation for the ISRO centre planned near Guwahati can be significant. The Assam government has recently allotted the land required for setting up the centre at Amingaon in north Guwahati. “In the sports sector, we may get something for Assam and the northeast. With lots of new sporting talents being groomed in the state, this may be on the cards,” Mahanta said.Economist MP Bezbaruah said, “As election is nearing in Assam, the government may come up with some state-specific announcement. But I am not expecting something meaningful. Because this year has been very difficult for the country. The prime focus of the Budget is likely to be on the vaccination expenditure and overall economic revival.”“The government has made lots of borrowings. I don’t think there is a luxury of sparing a lot. Considering the tension with China, the defence sector also cannot be ignored,” he added.Assam Chamber of Commerce chairman Rupam Goswami, too, felt that major announcement for Assam is unlikely, though infrastructural boost is expected for the development projects. “National Budget should not benefit select states. The roads, bridges, railway infrastructure boost in Assam in the last few years was not directly reflected in the Union Budget. The style of presenting Budgets has changed under the Modi government,” said Goswami, who is also the chief spokesperson of the Assam BJP.