Assam has attracted investment proposals worth over ₹5 lakh crore over the past decade, establishing itself as one of India's fastest-growing economies, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president and Lok Sabha MP Dilip Saikia said on Wednesday, 24 June, at a pre-Budget consultation organised by the party in Guwahati. The event brought together economists, academicians, entrepreneurs and industry representatives to shape the state's upcoming budgetary priorities.

A Decade of Economic Transformation

Saikia credited the state's turnaround to sustained policy focus between 2014-15 and 2024-25 under Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, describing the period as one of 'extraordinary transformation.' He said Assam's growth trajectory reflects improved governance, expanding economic opportunities and a concerted push to attract private capital.

He added that the state's progress is contributing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's broader vision of a developed India, and asserted that Assam is steadily moving towards becoming one of the country's leading states by addressing long-standing developmental challenges.

What the Finance Minister Said

Delivering the keynote address, state Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the government is committed to preparing a 'pragmatic, people-centric and growth-oriented' Budget and welcomed suggestions from stakeholders across sectors. He noted that budgetary execution has improved substantially, with the implementation rate touching nearly 90 per cent, and said the government aims to ensure full and effective utilisation of public expenditure.

Mallabaruah recalled that there was a time when even modest investments struggled to find traction in Assam. He highlighted PM Modi's frequent visits to the state as evidence of its growing strategic importance and said the state now enjoys 'unprecedented attention' from the Centre.

Semiconductor Ecosystem on the Rise

A notable highlight of the consultation was Mallabaruah's reference to Assam's emerging semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. He said that following the establishment of one semiconductor facility, two more units are expected to come up in the state, further strengthening its position in advanced manufacturing. This comes amid a broader national push to build domestic semiconductor capacity, making Assam's entry into the sector strategically significant.

Key Suggestions from Stakeholders

Participants at the consultation put forward several proposals for the upcoming Budget. These included greater support for the MSME sector, promotion of a 'Make in Assam' initiative, wider use of bamboo and cane products in government projects, enhanced university infrastructure, and insurance support for small poultry farmers. The event was attended by Cabinet ministers, MPs, financial institution representatives, business leaders, educationists, sports administrators and industry stakeholders from across Assam.

What Comes Next

The pre-Budget consultation is expected to feed directly into the state's upcoming Budget formulation. With a 90 per cent budgetary execution rate and a pipeline of semiconductor and industrial investments, Assam's fiscal priorities will be closely watched as a signal of whether the state can convert proposal momentum into on-ground economic output.