Assam State Budget 2017-18 Analysis
ActualsTotal expenditure, revenue receipts, fiscal deficit, and department-wise allocation for Assam FY 2017-18
Assam State Budget 2017-18 Budget at a Glance
Total Receipts
Rs 44,500 crore
+18.7%
Total Expenditure
Rs 49,500 crore
+20.1%
Fiscal Deficit
2.2%
Rs 5,000 crore
Capital Expenditure
Rs 6,500 crore
+25.0%
Tax Revenue
Rs 14,500 crore
+18.9%
Interest Payments
Rs 3,000 crore
6% of expenditure
Assam Revenue Receipts 2017-18
Own tax revenue vs non-tax revenue breakdown
Assam Expenditure Breakdown 2017-18
Revenue vs Capital spending and department allocation
Revenue vs Capital Split
Fiscal Deficit as % of GSDP โ Assam 2017-18
The fiscal deficit for Assam in 2017-18 is 2.2% of GSDP (Rs 5,000 crore), reflecting the state's borrowing needs to fund development programmes.
States are expected to maintain fiscal deficit within 3% of GSDP as per the FRBM Act. Assam is maintaining fiscal discipline close to the recommended limit.
Interest payments at Rs 3,000 crore consume 6.1% of total expenditure.
Assam State Budget 2017-18 โ Receipts & Expenditure Summary
| Particulars | Amount | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| A. Total Receipts | Rs 52,500 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Receipts | Rs 44,500 crore | 84.8% |
| a. Own Tax Revenue | Rs 14,500 crore | 27.6% |
| b. Non-Tax Revenue | Rs 12,500 crore | 23.8% |
| B. Total Expenditure | Rs 49,500 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Expenditure | Rs 43,000 crore | 86.9% |
| 2. Capital Expenditure | Rs 6,500 crore | 13.1% |
| of which: Interest Payments | Rs 3,000 crore | 6.1% |
| C. Fiscal Deficit | Rs 5,000 crore | 2.2% of GSDP |
Source: Assam State Budget Documents via PRS India. All figures in Indian Rupees.
Assam Budget 2017-18 Analysis & Highlights
Key Highlights
- Total expenditure reached approximately Rs 52,000 crore as the state adjusted to the GST regime.
- GST transition initially disrupted state revenue collection, with SGST settling at Rs 7,000 crore in the first year.
- NRC final draft published in July 2018 with 40 lakh names excluded, creating massive political and social upheaval.
- Flood damage at Rs 2,500 crore affected 34 lakh people across 28 districts.
- Education spending at Rs 9,000 crore included infrastructure for 5,000 model primary schools.
- Health allocation at Rs 4,200 crore supported Ayushman Bharat rollout alongside state scheme.
- Tea smallholder production crossed 40% of total output, restructuring the industry.
- BCPL downstream industrial cluster attracted Rs 1,000 crore in private investment proposals.
- Guwahati Sarusagar and Deepor Beel conservation received Rs 200 crore for wetland protection.
- National highway development brought four-lane connectivity to Dibrugarh via Jorhat.
- Assam Gas Company privatisation debate generated political controversy.
- Inland waterway operations expanded with regular cargo services on the Brahmaputra.
- Tourist arrivals crossed 60 lakh as Majuli and Kaziranga gained international recognition.
Compare Assam Budget โ Recent Years
Year-over-year comparison of key fiscal metrics
| Metric | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Expenditure | โ | โ | โ | Rs 41,200 crore | Rs 49,500 crore |
| Revenue Receipts | โ | โ | โ | Rs 37,500 crore | Rs 44,500 crore |
| Capital Expenditure | โ | โ | โ | Rs 5,200 crore | Rs 6,500 crore |
| Fiscal Deficit (% GSDP) | โ | โ | โ | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| Own Tax Revenue | โ | โ | โ | Rs 12,200 crore | Rs 14,500 crore |
Columns showing "โ" will populate as more data is ingested. Data from official budget documents via PRS India.
Understanding Assam State Budget 2017-18
The Assam state budget is the annual financial plan presented in the state legislature. It covers all revenue receipts, expenditure allocations across departments, and fiscal deficit management. State budgets are critical because states handle key development areas including education, health, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Assam Revenue Sources
State revenue comes from three sources: own tax revenue (state GST, stamp duty, excise, vehicle tax), non-tax revenue (fees, fines, interest), and transfers from the Centre (share of central taxes as per Finance Commission recommendations, plus grants-in-aid for specific schemes).
Fiscal Deficit and State Borrowing
Under the FRBM framework, states target a fiscal deficit of 3% of GSDP. States can borrow from the market via State Development Loans (SDLs), and the central government also provides loans. The RBI manages the borrowing calendar for states to ensure orderly market conditions.
Explore More
Compare Assam with other states
Side-by-side comparison of fiscal metrics across Indian states