Green message etched on Assam budget makes it unique

Five departments have schemes highly favourable for the environment

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: For the first time in the country, the message “Let’s go green for a beautiful tomorrow” is distinctly etched on the state’s annual budget for the financial year 2023–24.

With a view to executing the message into reality, five departments have had schemes that are highly favourable for going green, with an allocation of Rs 1289 crore. Some other departments have also adopted moderately favourable and neutral budget proposals for the protection of the environment.

The State Government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, took the decision to accommodate a green budget in the annual budget of the state with the pledge to build a state that is safe, sustainable, and resilient for years to come. Assam is one of the most vulnerable states to climate change. To address the increase in urbanisation, industrial growth, negative environmental externalities, and pollution, the introduction of a green budget offers an opportunity to mainstream environmental concerns in the state.

The five departments that have highly favourable schemes for the environment are the Environment and Forest Department; the Irrigation Department; the Science, Technology, and Climate Change Department; the Housing and Urban Affairs Department; and the Agriculture Department.

According to the government’s statistics, the Environment and Forest Department has 84.9 percent of its total allocation proposals for greenery, followed by the Irrigation Department with 37.4 percent, the Science, Technology, and Climate Change Department with 17.1 percent, the Housing and Urban Affairs Department with 16.7 percent, and the Agriculture Department with 14 percent.

Green budgeting recognizes environmental sustainability and climate change concerns within the existing developmental processes and sectors of the economy. It eventually reduces the unfavourable expenditure and provides inputs for aligning the economy for green and inclusive growth.

The Finance Minister, Ajanta Neog, presented the Annual Budget of the State for financial year 2023–24 on March 16.

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