Assam Budget 2026-27 Bets Big on Infrastructure, Welfare and Jobs; Rs 10,000 Crore Development Push Announced

Guwahati: Assam Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah on Friday presented the State Budget for 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly, outlining a development-focused roadmap centred on infrastructure expansion, welfare, agriculture, education and employment generation over the next five years.The budget proposes an allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for infrastructure development, including Rs 4,954 crore for the ambitious Guwahati Ring Road Project, one of the state's flagship connectivity initiatives.A major emphasis has also been placed on social welfare, with Rs 6,000 crore earmarked for various schemes. The government aims to benefit 35,000 women through welfare initiatives during the current financial year, while the Divyang Vahan Scheme will

cover 3.75 lakh persons with disabilities.Among key announcements, the Finance Minister proposed Rs 15,000 in financial assistance for pregnant women in tea garden areas. The government will also continue providing a monthly stipend of Rs 2,500 to 48,366 graduate students pursuing higher education.In the agriculture sector, the Chief Minister's Agricultural Equipment Scheme will continue, offering Rs 11,000 in assistance to small and marginal farmers. Farmers will also receive an additional Rs 200 per quintal for paddy and wheat over the Minimum Support Price (MSP), while mustard growers will receive an extra Rs 300 per quintal.From August 2026, 621 Udasin Bhakats will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,500.The Finance Minister announced that applications for the Mukhyamantri Nijut Moina Scheme will open in August, with benefits to be disbursed from October. More than 5.3 lakh students are expected to benefit from the scheme this year. He also reaffirmed continued support under the Orunodoi and Jibon Prerana schemes.On employment, Baruah said the government has set a target of creating over two lakh jobs in the next five years, adding that a dedicated task force has already been constituted to achieve the goal.In a significant policy announcement, the Finance Minister said any government employee found guilty of practising polygamy will face dismissal from service.Highlighting Assam's economic progress, Baruah said the state's per capita income has increased to Rs 1,85,429. He added that the government aims to raise the share of own-source revenue to 50 per cent, while capital expenditure reached Rs 26,531 crore in 2025-26, underscoring the state's focus on long-term infrastructure-led growth.