STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The State Government has started its preparations for the annual budget for the financial year 2024–25. The State Assembly will start its Budget Session on February 5, 2024.
Following a directive from Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Finance Department is examining the department-wise expenditures of the 2023-24 Budget. The department is also identifying the fruitful schemes in the last year’s budget.
According to sources, the Chief Minister has instructed the Finance Department to prepare a realistic budget with time-bound schemes. He has also asked the Finance Department to cut wasteful costs and enhance capital expenditure, besides handholding other departments for effective resource planning. The Chief Minister has already had a meeting with the Finance and other departments on the preparations of the state budget.
Finance Minister Ajanta Neog tabled a Rs 139-lakh-crore state annual budget for the financial year 2023-24.
According to sources in the Finance Department, the state budget outlay may cross Rs 150 lakh crore in the next financial year.
With the 2024 Lok Sabha election round the corner, circles concerned expect a populist state annual budget in the coming financial year.
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