Though the Chief Minister, also in-charge of the finance portfolio, termed it as growth-oriented, many of the organisations and individuals doubted the sincerity of the Government in implementing the proposed schemes.

Several of the Government proposals drew flak for their uncertain status. “The one time grants for unemployed single woman, SHGs, BPL families, weavers etc, would not bring any noticeable change in their life. Thus it appears as purely election gimmicks,” said Najrul Ali, an advocate.

The State Budget was discussed at an interactive session on the Budget, organised by the Assam Yuba Parishad. Dr Gautam Mazumdar of the Department of Economics, Cotton College, while speaking on the occasion mentioned, “such one time grants have little significance unless institutionalised. Even if such non-developmental expenditures are institutionalised, the burden would keep on multiplying on the exchequer,” he maintained.

“There is no specific mention of the measures to achieve a growth rate of 9 per cent. The ad hoc measures can not lead to the desired growth rate,” he added. He, however, described the schemes proposed for education and tourism sectors as the positive aspects of the Budget.

Dr Amiya Kumar Sarma, executive director of the Rastriya Grameen Vikash Nidhi (RGVN), while speaking on the same occasion, lauded the Government for sanctioning good amount of money for improving law and order situation. But he was of the opinion that if the genuine BPL people are not identified and proper implementation of the Government schemes is not ensured, the purpose of such schemes would not be served.

“Though the Government is hyperbolic of its stress on the development of the agriculture and allied sectors by proposing to distribute power tillers etc, but what if the farmers do not get the proper market price? Producing amply is not the solution to the woes of the farmers until the role of middlemen is eliminated,” Rupam Goswami, State convener of the Assam Chamber of Commerce told The Assam Tribune.

Welcoming the removal of entry tax on some of the essential commodities like sugar, egg, fish etc, up to 4 per cent, the organisation opined that local produce of the State would not be cheap till sufficient mandis are established and step is taken against brokers and syndicates.

The pros and cons of the measures proposed for welfare of women were also widely discussed. “I am happy to know that government would give Rs 5,000 to the Self Help Groups. However, it is not clear, whether the grant would be accorded annually or just for one time,” said Dipali Deka of Lakhimi Atma Sahayak Got, Kamrup.

Expressing his satisfaction at the Budget, MP Jain of the Kamrup Chamber of Commerce said that if properly implemented, it would bring significant improvement in the State’s economy.

“However, we urge the Government to abolish entry tax on textile, rather than reducing it, as this form of taxation does not exist in other parts of the country,” he said.

Dolly Bora from the women wing of the Assam Chamber of Commerce, while commenting on the Budget said that the one time grant to unemployed women or the BPL families would not solve their problems.