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Big Infra Push In Assam Budget: Rs 22,594 Crore Paradip Oil Pipeline, Six-Lane Bridge Over Brahmaputra Planned
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal with state Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma (Pic via Twitter)
In his state budget for the fiscal year 2019-20, Assam Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a scheme to provide one tola (ten grams) gold, valued at about Rs 38,000 to brides of families whose annual income is below Rs 5 lakh, reports Times Of India (TOI).
Announcing the scheme, Sarma said, “I feel that this is my solemn responsibility to stand with those fathers who cannot afford to gift a set of gold ornaments to their dearest daughters and at some point of time, have to resort to borrowings and put themselves in a vicious cycle of debt.
While other parts of our country may be plagued with the curse of dowry, in our Assamese society, this is a voluntary act of assurance from the parents that no matter where she is, their support is always with her. This constitutes a part of the Stree-dhana.”
Sarma also announced a scheme to provide a one-time cash grant of Rs 50,000 each will be given to total 2000 sports and art personalities for their contributions. Also, Rs 10,000 monthly payment will be made to every student from tea garden community studying in a college.
The government has announced a Rs 25,000 immediate assistance to widows below the age of 45 years.
Some of the other schemes include 10 lakh aid for 108 religious places in the state which are over 100 years old.
Infrastructure
The budget allocated Rs 22,594 crores to build a new crude oil pipeline from Paradip Port to Numaligarh refinery.
The state will build a six-lane bridge over the Brahmaputra at the cost of nearly Rs 2,200 crore. Sarma also stated that smartphones would be provided to village headmen to keep him in touch with district administration. “We will cross Rs 70,000 crore in expenditure, a new mark in the state,” added Sarma.
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