Assam: Raijor Dal chief and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma during a press conference and alleged inconsistencies in Sarma’s recent claims about the state’s economy. Citing data from the Reserve Bank of India’s Statistical Handbook on Indian States, Gogoi presented a detailed comparison of economic indicators under different administrations.
Economic comparison across administrations
Gogoi highlighted that during Tarun Gogoi’s third term as chief minister, Assam’s GDP growth rate was 7.6%, while the loan growth rate was around 11%. In contrast, the GDP growth rate declined to 5.4% during former CM Sarbananda Sonowal’s tenure. During Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tenure, the GDP growth rate rose to 8.8%, but the loan growth rate rose to 19%.
“The GDP growth during Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tenure is slightly higher than Tarun Gogoi’s tenure, but the debt level has increased alarmingly,” Gogoi said. He further pointed out that Assam’s current debt is ₹1.5 lakh crore, which is 48% of the state’s GDP.
Declining contribution to India’s economy
Gogoi also cited the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), which revealed a massive drop in Assam’s contribution to India’s GDP.
“In 1960-61, Assam contributed 2.6% to India’s GDP. By 2023-24, this share has dropped to 1.9%. Among the 20 major states, Assam is now ranked fourth from the bottom in terms of contribution to GDP,” he said. Per capita income comparison
Drawing attention to Assam’s per capita income, Gogoi said, “Assam’s annual per capita income was ₹102.90 in 1960-61. By 2023-24, it has dropped to ₹73.70, which is ₹26.30 less than the national average.”
Debt accumulation and demand for transparency
Highlighting Assam’s debt accumulation, Gogoi claimed, “The state had a debt of ₹41,964 crore between 1947 and 2016. Shockingly, the debt has increased by ₹63,191 crore in just three years of Himanta Biswa Sarma’s tenure.”
Gogoi demanded more transparency and sought the publication of a white paper on Assam’s economy. He said, “The government must disclose information about loans taken from JICA, alleged corruption in the Louis Berger scam and irregularities in preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) which were manipulated for the benefit of commissioners.” Criticism of economic model Gogoi rejected Sarma’s claim that Assam’s economy would soon match Punjab’s economy, saying, “Punjab’s financial condition has deteriorated since the Green Revolution and comparing Assam with Punjab is misleading.” He also criticised the state’s dependence on welfare schemes like Orunodoi and lack of progress in irrigation infrastructure. Challenge to chief minister Accusing the chief minister of misleading the public, Gogoi said, “On January 1, Himanta Biswa Sarma made false claims about the state’s economy. I challenge him to present the truth in a public debate. If needed, let him debate on his channel and I will highlight the anomalies point by point.” Concluding remarks
Questioning the Chief Minister’s governance, Gogoi said, “Himanta Biswa Sarma not only works as the Chief Minister but also as the SP and even as the village head. Assam’s future cannot be left in his hands.”
CM Sarma’s claims on January 1
Earlier, on January 1, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam was making rapid economic progress and was on its way to becoming a million-economy state by 2028. Speaking at the Koinadhora State Guest House in Guwahati, Sarma highlighted his government’s achievements, stressing that all the loans taken by the Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government were repaid by 2014 and now Assam is debt-free by that year.
