GUWAHATI: The Assam government has issued a mandate for all real estate projects in the state to incorporate solar rooftop panels.
This directive was unveiled by Assam’s Finance Minister, Ajanta Neog, during her budget speech on Monday.
“In line with our commitment to sustainable development, all new buildings—both private and public—constructed in Assam will be required to install rooftop solar facilities. Our administration will introduce new legislation to enforce this requirement within the current year,” Minister Neog announced.
Following the budget session, Chief Minister Himanta Sarma emphasised his government’s alignment with the Centre’s emphasis on green energy. He reiterated that Assam has embraced this vision, as reflected in the budgetary measures.
“The Centre is giving a lot of focus on solar panels and our government is committed to that promise of harnessing green power. So, we have made it compulsory from all real estate project to have solar rooftop panels. Without that, one can’t have any real estate projects in Assam. We are going with electric buses in Guwahati; about 3000 megawatts of solar power and complete Kapili hydel project by June 2024. So, we have espoused green power in our budget very strongly,” said Chief Minister Sarma.
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Earlier, the Finance Minister Neog tabled a budget of Rs 2.9 lakh crore for 2024-2025 with focus at fostering education and eliminating social challenges.
Presenting the annual financial statement on Monday, Finance Minister Ajanta Neog unveiled a budget designed to uplift communities and propel the state towards economic growth.
“The Budget Estimates of 2024-25 project a receipt of Rs 2,90,155.65 crore, encompassing funds from various sources,” Minister Neog told the press.
She highlighted prudent fiscal management, outlining a total expenditure estimated at Rs 2,88,560.71 crore, aimed at driving inclusive development across the state.
Highlighting the state’s economic trajectory, Minister Neog projected the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) to reach Rs 6.43 lakh crore in the upcoming fiscal year, a notable increase from the previous year’s Rs 5.7 lakh crore.
With a deficit of Rs 774.47 crore, the budget proposes no new taxes, offering relief to the people of Assam.
“We are not imposing any burden of additional tax on the people of Assam in the current budget,” she said.
The focal point of the budget remains the empowerment of the girl child, with Minister Neog unveiling plans to provide financial grants as admission incentives for 10 lakh girls pursuing higher secondary, graduation, and post-graduation studies.
Minister Neog said that the initiative is aimed at creating a society free from the scourge of child marriage.
“This initiative seeks to empower young women to make informed decisions about their future, contributing to the eradication of child marriages,” she was quoted as saying by the press.
