Saikia Warns Assam’s Rising Debt Could Hurt Economy, Calls Schemes “Loan-Driven”

CLP leader Debabrata Saikia warned that Assam’s growing dependence on loans to fund schemes and “freebies” may burden the State’s economy. He said Assam’s liabilities have risen nearly ten-fold under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma and criticised comparisons with industrial states like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Saikia also flagged poor progress in irrigation, industrialisation, HDI ranking, flood control, and Dibrugarh’s drainage system. He termed the proposal to make Dibrugarh a second capital “politically motivated.” Saikia further urged the government to increase compensation for pigs culled due to African Swine Fever.