Feb 19, 2026 (AGENCY):
Assam has marked history for the first time after 77 years without relying on central tax devolution, as the state government will be able to pay salaries and pensions fully for its employees from its own tax revenue by the 2026–27 financial year, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced on Thursday.
While addressing the Motion of Thanks on the Governor’s Address in the Assam Assembly, the Assam CM informed the House that Assam is getting closer to becoming a financially self-reliant state, even as central devolution has been shrinking in recent years. Assam’s tax devolution is expected to be nearly Rs 50,000 crore in 2026–27.
“We will be able to give employees’ salaries and pensions completely through tax revenue. This is happening for the first time in 77 years that salary bills will be paid by our own tax revenue,” he said.
Assam will require around Rs 48,000 crore annually to meet salary and pension obligations for serving and retired employees. In addition to tax devolution, the state’s own tax collection is projected to be around Rs 30,000 crore in the next financial year, the Assam CM said.
The Chief Minister claimed that Assam’s economy grew by 29 per cent between 2021 and 2025, compared to West Bengal’s 45 per cent growth during the same period. He further said that Assam is currently the fastest-growing economy in the country, adding that the state’s per capita income is expected to rise to Rs 1,85,429 in 2025–26 from Rs 86,497 in 2020–21.
