Assam State Budget 2018-19 Analysis
ActualsTotal expenditure, revenue receipts, fiscal deficit, and department-wise allocation for Assam FY 2018-19
Assam State Budget 2018-19 Budget at a Glance
Total Receipts
Rs 52,000 crore
+16.9%
Total Expenditure
Rs 60,000 crore
+21.2%
Fiscal Deficit
2.2%
Rs 6,000 crore
Capital Expenditure
Rs 8,500 crore
+30.8%
Tax Revenue
Rs 17,200 crore
+18.6%
Interest Payments
Rs 3,800 crore
6% of expenditure
Assam Revenue Receipts 2018-19
Own tax revenue vs non-tax revenue breakdown
Assam Expenditure Breakdown 2018-19
Revenue vs Capital spending and department allocation
Revenue vs Capital Split
Fiscal Deficit as % of GSDP โ Assam 2018-19
The fiscal deficit for Assam in 2018-19 is 2.2% of GSDP (Rs 6,000 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 3,800 crore consume 6.3% of total expenditure.
Assam State Budget 2018-19 โ Receipts & Expenditure Summary
| Particulars | Amount | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| A. Total Receipts | Rs 62,000 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Receipts | Rs 52,000 crore | 83.9% |
| a. Own Tax Revenue | Rs 17,200 crore | 27.7% |
| b. Non-Tax Revenue | Rs 14,800 crore | 23.9% |
| B. Total Expenditure | Rs 60,000 crore | 100% |
| 1. Revenue Expenditure | Rs 51,500 crore | 85.8% |
| 2. Capital Expenditure | Rs 8,500 crore | 14.2% |
| of which: Interest Payments | Rs 3,800 crore | 6.3% |
| C. Fiscal Deficit | Rs 6,000 crore | 2.2% of GSDP |
Source: Assam State Budget Documents via PRS India. All figures in Indian Rupees.
Assam Budget 2018-19 Analysis & Highlights
Key Highlights
- Total expenditure reached approximately Rs 58,000 crore, maintaining the growth trajectory despite slowing national economy.
- SGST collections reached Rs 9,000 crore with improved compliance and economic formalisation.
- Final NRC published in August 2019 with 19 lakh names excluded โ significantly fewer than the draft list.
- Flood devastation in 2019 was particularly severe, affecting all 33 districts and displacing 55 lakh people.
- Tea industry stabilised with auction prices recovering 15% on strong domestic demand.
- Education spending at Rs 10,000 crore included free textbooks and uniforms for all government school students.
- Health allocation at Rs 4,800 crore expanded district hospital capacity across 15 districts.
- Guwahati-North Guwahati bridge (Saraighat second bridge) reached advanced construction stage.
- BCPL generated Rs 500 crore in state revenue through taxes and local economic multiplier effects.
- Assam Mala programme launched Rs 5,000 crore road modernisation with World Bank support.
- Inland waterway cargo crossed 50,000 tonnes on the Brahmaputra for the first time.
- Tourist arrivals reached 65 lakh despite flood disruptions and NRC-related social tensions.
- Anti-CAA protests in December 2019 disrupted economic activity across the state.
Compare Assam Budget โ Recent Years
Year-over-year comparison of key fiscal metrics
| Metric | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | 2018-19 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Expenditure | โ | โ | โ | Rs 49,500 crore | Rs 60,000 crore |
| Revenue Receipts | โ | โ | โ | Rs 44,500 crore | Rs 52,000 crore |
| Capital Expenditure | โ | โ | โ | Rs 6,500 crore | Rs 8,500 crore |
| Fiscal Deficit (% GSDP) | โ | โ | โ | 2.2% | 2.2% |
| Own Tax Revenue | โ | โ | โ | Rs 14,500 crore | Rs 17,200 crore |
Columns showing "โ" will populate as more data is ingested. Data from official budget documents via PRS India.
Understanding Assam State Budget 2018-19
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