Finance Minister Ajanta Neog on Tuesday presented the Vote-on-Account for the financial year 2026–27 in the state Legislative Assembly, outlining financial projections and a series of development initiatives ahead of the Assembly elections.
Presenting the interim budget covering expenditure from April to July 2026, the Finance Minister projected a growth rate of 16.93 percent for the state. She said Assam’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is expected to reach Rs 8.71 lakh crore, with the government aiming to turn the state into a Rs 10 lakh crore economy by 2028—two years ahead of its earlier target.
Highlighting economic progress, Neog said the state’s per capita income has doubled over the past five years, rising from Rs 86,947 in 2020–21 to Rs 1,85,429 in 2025–26, marking a 113 per cent increase. She said the figures place Assam among the fastest-growing states in terms of per capita income.
On infrastructure, the minister informed the House that eight bridges over the Brahmaputra River are currently operational, while four more are under construction. She noted that the number of bridges across the river has risen from three earlier to 12 during the present government’s tenure.
She also welcomed the proposal for an underground railway line at the strategic “Chicken’s Neck” corridor.
Neog announced financial assistance for students under the Chief Minister’s ‘Nijut Moina’ and ‘Nijut Babu’ schemes. Under ‘Nijut Babu’, students will receive monthly support ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000, along with additional assistance for postgraduate studies.
In the housing and renewable energy sectors, she said beneficiaries under the Prime Minister’s ‘Surya Ghar’ scheme will receive a subsidy of Rs 45,000. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 17,07,987 houses have been constructed in Assam over the past five years. She also referred to the Chief Minister’s participation in the World Economic Forum.
For women under the ‘Lakhpati Baideo’ scheme, the second phase will provide financial assistance of Rs 25,000. The minister also announced plans for an urban industrial corridor and the development of a twin city comprising Guwahati, Jagiroad, and Palashbari. The government also claimed success in achieving zero rhino poaching in the state.
In the education sector, she announced a one-time assistance under the ‘Gurudakshina’ scheme for non-provincialised teachers and tutors. A dedicated portal will also be launched to facilitate the provincialisation of eligible teachers and tutors.
For infrastructure development, the minister outlined plans for an elevated corridor from the airport to Jagiroad and an express corridor between Guwahati and Dibrugarh. Five new airports have been proposed in Nagaon, Diphu, Umrangso, Majuli, and Manas.
She also said rural areas in the state are currently receiving 23.4 hours of electricity supply daily. From March, land pattas will be distributed to tea garden workers, benefiting around 3.5 lakh families with land rights.
The Vote-on-Account, presented ahead of the elections, includes several welfare and infrastructure announcements as the state prepares for the next phase of governance.
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