Guwahati, Feb 28 : The budget for 2011-12 has evoked mixed response in the northeast, with industry captains and Assam's ruling Congress party terming it balanced, while the opposition described it as directionless.
The notable highlight in the budget for the northeast has been a 100 percent jump in the allocation for special assistance to Rs 8,000 crore for 2011-12. Out of this, Rs 5,400 crore has been allocated as Special Central Assistance.
'I would say this is a reformist and mature budget by a mature finance minister aimed at addressing various issues like tax reforms to infrastructure and also the social sector as well,' R.S. Joshi, president of the Federation of Industries and Commerce of Northeastern Region (FINER), the apex trade administration body of the region, said.
'This is a budget for the people and the special assistance of Rs.8,000 would go a long way in improving infrastructure facilities in the region,' said Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi.
'This is a pro-people budget and we hope the provisions, especially in areas like education, health, social sector and infrastructure would go a long way in the overall development of the country,' said Pawan Singh Ghatowar, Congress MP from Assam.
The opposition thought otherwise.
'This is nothing but a budget that is directionless, with no steps taken to curb price rise and growing inflation. There is nothing for the northeast and Assam as well in the budget,' said Ramen Deka, BJP MP from Assam.
'The people of Assam and the northeast got a raw deal from this budget. The people of the northeast got nothing from this budget,' said Biren Baishya, MP of the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) said.
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