Guwahati, India (March 12): The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) President Bhupen Borah has slammed the state budget 2025-26, calling it an “illusion” designed to dupe the people. Speaking at a press conference in Guwahati, Borah criticized the budget, saying it’s a political strategy for the 2026 elections rather than a genuine attempt to address the state’s economic and social issues.
Borah criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for neglecting key concerns, including the implementation of the Assam Accord, the welfare of tea workers, and the state’s economic sustainability. “This budget is not for the people; it’s a political strategy to manipulate the unemployed, tea workers, and indigenous communities,” Borah said, adding that Assam needs a budget that truly prioritizes financial stability, employment, and public welfare, rather than “empty promises and misleading statistics.”
Borha also expressed concern over the absence of any mention of the Assam Accord in Finance Minister Ajanta Neog’s one-hour-long budget speech. He slammed the government for failing to deliver on its promises regarding Clause 6, which ensures safeguards for Assamese people, and criticized the government’s claim of a “developed Assam.” “The Chief Minister talks about a developed Assam, but he conveniently forgets about the Assam Accord, which is fundamental to our identity and rights. This budget is yet another example of how the BJP government has ignored its commitments,” Borah said.
Borha also criticized the government’s allocation of Rs 5,000 one-time aid to tea garden workers, calling it an election ploy. “The government claims to care about tea workers, but the reality is different. Tea workers don’t have proper wages, healthcare, or education for their children. How will a one-time payment of Rs 5,000 change their lives?” he questioned. He also highlighted the issue of tea workers’ daily wages, stressing that the daily wage remains a critical issue.
The APCC chief further pointed out that unemployment in Assam has reached 36,66,000, despite the Chief Minister’s repeated claims of creating a “self-reliant” Assam. “Sarma once said he would create an environment where the youth could buy clothes for their parents with their own earnings. Today, we see a different picture. The number of unemployed youths has crossed 36 lakh. He says 1.19 lakh jobs were given last year. What about the remaining 35 lakh youths?” Borha questioned.
Borha also criticized the government’s new scheme of Rs 2,500 monthly financial aid for unemployed youth, calling it a political bribe. “This is nothing but a political bribe. If you truly wanted to support unemployed youth, why delay it till October? This scheme is designed to influence voters before the elections,” he alleged. He also expressed concerns about Assam’s financial health, pointing out that the state is set to borrow Rs 36,185 crore this year, with total debt soaring to Rs 2,83,590 crore by 2025-26.
The APCC President also decried the government’s spending priorities, saying that while the budget mentions new infrastructure and projects, it doesn’t provide financial details. He also cited the National Food Security Report, which states that 60% of urban households and 86% of rural households in Assam struggle to buy rice. “The Chief Minister talks about progress, but people don’t even have money to buy food. The report clearly says that only 2.45 lakh people in Assam get four square meals a day. This is the harsh reality of our state,” he stated.
Borha concluded that the Congress party will continue to fight for the people of Assam, focusing on key issues such as the Assam Accord, unemployment, and the welfare of marginalized communities. “We will ensure that these issues remain at the forefront of our movement, and we will not let the administration push them under the carpet,” he pledged.
As the state navigates its economic and social challenges, the APCC President’s scathing criticism of the budget highlights the need for a more transparent and accountable government that prioritizes the needs of the people.
Original Source: https://assamtribune.com/assam/state-budget-2025-26-draws-congress-ire-apcc-chief-calls-it-illusion-1570946
Category : Assam,Featured
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Publish Date: 2025-03-12 14:47:00
