GUWAHATI: The Assam government will soon announce its own schemes to supplement benefits given under Atma Nirbhar Bharat, the economic package announced by the Prime Minister recently.
Addressing reporters here on Monday, Assam finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that while the Centre’s economic package would infuse more liquidity and enhance cash flow to the state’s exchequer by Rs 10,000 crore (as loan), the state, for its part, would further chip in with “a matching share” so that beneficiaries derive maximum benefits.
“The state’s cash flow would be enhanced by four mechanisms under the Centre’s economic package such as drawing of special funds (in case funds go down below minimum treasury limit), 60 per cent ways and means advances enhancement, extension of overdraft facility by three months and enhancement of borrowings. So, given the financial cushion, we are now looking at transforming the scheme to ‘Atmanirbhar Assam’ with our own schemes,” Sarma said.
The finance minister said the overdraft facility would ensure uninterrupted payment of monthly salaries of the state government employees (about 4lakh) in the midst of the medical emergency.
“Thanks to the economic package, there would be greater cash reserves in the banking system and the state can apply for temporary loans from Reserve Bank of India at half the market rate of interest. As many as 66,000 MSMEs in the state can now apply for collateral-free working capital loan while those which have become non-performing assets can start afresh,” Sarma said.
He further said that under the direct cash transfer schemes, there would be a cash inflow of Rs 3000 crore in the state, be it through the Jan Dhan Yojana, Ujala scheme, old-age pension scheme, et al.
“Now even piggery, poultry and dairy farmers would be eligible for Kisan Credit Cards apart from farmers. Migrant workers would get job cards under MGNREGA. So from agriculture to industry, the Atma Nirbhar Bharat scheme would help lift several sectors and substantially boost the state’s economy,” the minister said.