A view of an oil refinery in Guwahati.
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Assam government has proposed a “green cess” on identified polluting industrial units and activities.
Presenting his maiden Budget on Friday (July 10, 2026), Finance Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the principle that those who cause environmental degradation should also contribute towards its mitigation guided the green cess decision.
He said the green cess would be levied on stone crushers, coke-based industries, brick kilns, transfer of second-hand vehicles, commercial extraction of groundwater and such other environmentally sensitive industries and activities as may be notified by the government.
Reading out the Budget, he said the proceeds from this cess would be utilised for afforestation, pollution control, biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, green energy, water resource management, and other environmentally sustainable infrastructure.
Mr. Mallabaruah underscored the government’s green mission with the proposed launch of a drone-delivered initiative to disperse seed balls over inaccessible forest areas, hill slopes, and riverine tracts. “This technology-driven initiative will enhance green cover, strengthen climate resilience, and promote a greener Assam,” he said.
The Minister also said the government was committed to transforming Assam into a power-surplus State and the green energy hub of the Northeast, while referring to Arunachal Pradesh’s progress in harnessing its vast hydropower potential.
Cuisine and golf
Mr. Mallabaruah proposed an initiative to promote Assamese cuisine in every State and Union Territory across the country. He said entrepreneurs would be encouraged to establish authentic Assamese food outlets.
“The government will facilitate a common menu, common logo, and shared brand identity for these outlets to ensure quality and consistency across all outlets. This initiative will help promote our local products and create new opportunities for entrepreneurs,” he said.
The Assam tea and golf trail and proton therapy for advanced cancer care were the other initiatives announced in the Budget. The first is expected to elevate tourism by bringing together the State’s tea heritage and distinctive golf courses.
Assam has three 18-hole championship golf courses and 10 nine-hole courses, many of which are located within beautiful tea estates, Mr. Mallabaruah said. He quoted Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma as saying that Assam would become the first State to have proton beam therapy, for which the government would invest ₹550 crore.
Mr. Mallabaruah further said that Assam’s budget size expanded almost threefold over the past 10 years to ₹2,00,782 crore. “Budget utilisation has improved from 58% to a record 85%,” he added.
Lentils to resume in PDS outlets
He also announced the resumption of distribution of lentils and sugar to National Food Security Act (NFSA) ration card holders from August, as “the prices of these essential commodities have risen due to the West Asia crisis”.
Similarly, 48,366 job-seeking graduates would start getting ₹2,500 per month each from September under the Jibon Prerana scheme. Support for 621 Udasin Bhakats (celibate monks) at ₹1,500 per month per head would also be resumed from August, the Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Guwahati Tea Auction Buyers’ Association appreciated the government’s decision to introduce an export subsidy of ₹3 per kg for premium Assam CTC (black granular) tea.
Published – July 10, 2026 06:03 pm IST
