Gogoi presents Rs 1352 cr deficit budget
By Hemanta Kumar Nath, Guwahati, Mar 11 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, who also holds the finance portfolio, on Monday presented a deficit budget for the state.
Gogoi tabled Rs 1352 cr state deficit budget for the 2013-2014 financial year on the floor of assembly, which aimed at appeasing the common people.
The opening deficit of Rs 530.67 cr in 2012-2013 financial year will be expected to hike with an estimated closing deficit of Rs 1352.57 cr in the next financial year.
Gogoi expected that a total of Rs 301180.12 cr will received by the state in 2013-2014 and the total expenditure is expected to be Rs 302002.02 cr.
The Assam CM has lifted tax on molasses and hiked tax on cigarette, bidi from 20% to 25%.
Gogoi further increased tax on brick kiln and marble.
The Assam CM has proposed to introduce smart card for MGNREGA beneficiaries and Rs 60 cr for mini Assam project.
The budget proposed that 30 cold storage be set up in the state at a cost of Rs 150 cr.
The budget also proposed a 200 bedded cancer hospital in Guwahati.