Guwahati: In a significant move towards fostering prosperity and cultural preservation, Assam’s Finance Minister Ajanta Neog presented the state budget for the financial year 2024-25 on February 12. The budget reflects the government’s commitment to the principles of “sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas, sabka prayas,” aiming to build a self-reliant Assam.
One standout initiative is the “Punya Teerth Yojana – Ayodhya Pilgrimage,” a flagship scheme under the Punya Dham initiative. This scheme facilitates the pilgrimage of 25,000 devotees to the revered Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, with a budgetary provision of Rs. 25 crore. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Lord Shri Ram is the complete incarnation of Mahavishnu, The people of Assam are very happy with the consecration of the life of child Ram.That is why in today’s budget we have announced that the Assam government will bear the expenses of the visit of 25,000 devotees to Ayodhya Dham every year.”
Moreover, the budget acknowledges the rich cultural heritage of Assam by allocating funds for the promotion of traditional art forms. Special provisions have been made for Bhaona, an Assamese dance drama (Bhaona) depicting stories from Hindu mythology. Each Bhaona committee will receive a one-time grant of Rs. 25,000, with an additional Rs. 5,000 for those performing Ram Bijoy Ankiya Naat, a dance drama on the victory of Lord Ram created by Srimant Sankardev.
Highlighting the cultural significance of these initiatives, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog remarked, “Prabhu Ramchandra was accepted by Mahapurush Srimanta Sankaradeva as the incarnation of the Supreme Brahma. It is certainly significant that Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardeva wrote the Ram Bijoy Ankiya Naat as his swan song before his Mahaprayan.”
The budget extends its focus to the preservation of Assamese heritage and culture, with substantial support for important Sattras. Internal development works at Sri Sri Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Sankardev, have been completed with an outlay of Rs. 22.53 crore. Additionally, the government is undertaking the overall rejuvenation of the Than premises in three phases, allocating Rs. 54 crore for beautification works under phase III. The total funds earmarked for the preservation of Batadrava Than, including internal and external development, amount to Rs. 240 crore.
In a quest to safeguard cultural identity, the government plans to create Heritage Belts and Blocks in iconic locations such as Barpeta, Majuli, Batadrava, and Narayanpur. A proposed legislation aims to ensure that the land surrounding these locations is transferred only to indigenous persons or institutions, reflecting a commitment to preserving the cultural significance of these areas.
Another groundbreaking initiative announced in the budget is the “Mukhya Mantri Nijut Moina (MMNM)” scheme. This scheme aims to support the education of 10 lakh girls by providing financial grants as admission incentives for higher secondary, graduation, and postgraduate studies. With an admission incentive ranging from Rs. 10,000 for Class Eleven to Rs. 15,000 for post-graduation, this scheme complements existing benefits like free admission and provision of scooty. The budget allocates Rs. 240 crore towards the MMNM scheme.
In conclusion, Assam’s budget for 2024-25 reflects a comprehensive approach towards development, cultural preservation, and education. The strategic initiatives announced underscore the government’s commitment to uplifting its citizens, fostering cultural heritage, and ensuring inclusive growth. As Assam charts its course for the future, these budgetary allocations signify a significant step towards a more prosperous and culturally vibrant state.
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