Dibrugarh: Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has described the Union Budget 2026-27 as a decisive and historic step towards making the northeast, particularly Assam, a powerhouse of India’s development journey under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.Addressing a press conference in Dibrugarh on Monday, Sonowal, who is also the Lok Sabha MP from Dibrugarh, said the Budget reflects a calibrated shift to targeted planning, cooperative federalism and infrastructure-led growth, ensuring prosperity for every region whilst strengthening India’s high-tech and manufacturing ambitions.
“The Union Budget 2026–27 demonstrates Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. It empowers MSMEs, champions women-led growth, strengthens education and health infrastructure, and places the Northeast at the centre of India’s economic transformation,” Sonowal said.The minister highlighted that the Budget fuels India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem with a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore MSME growth fund, while propelling the country into a high-tech future through the India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 and a Rs 40,000 crore boost for electronics manufacturing. “These initiatives will generate quality jobs and integrate Indian industry into global value chains. Given the impetus, our region, which is rich in both resources and strategic value point, is set to reap rich dividend and propel new India’s growth story,” he added.Sonowal emphasised that the northeast has received unprecedented attention in the Budget. The allocation for the ministry for Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) has increased to Rs 6,812 crore, more than three times the Rs 2,000 crore allocation in 2014. Allocations for the northeast have risen by 22 per cent, from Rs 88,741 crore in the revised estimates of 2025–26 to Rs 1,08,335 crore in the budget estimates for 2026–27.“Since 2014, Rs 7.3 lakh crore has been spent in the northeast, averaging more than Rs 60,000 crore annually. In recent years, this has crossed Rs 1 lakh crore per year, reflecting the end of decades of neglect and the beginning of sustained engagement under the Modi govt,” Sonowal said.The region has received a record railway allocation of Rs 11,486 crore for infrastructure projects, nearly five times the annual allocation during the UPA era. Sonowal highlighted that a special 34km underground railway stretch in the strategically vital ‘Chicken Neck’ corridor will ensure uninterrupted connectivity, enhance national security and safeguard supply lines.Sonowal said Assam stands to gain significantly from the Budget. The state will receive Rs 49,725 crore as its share of Union tax devolution in 2026–27, compared with Rs 44,494 crore last year and about Rs 11,500 crore in 2013–14. “This more than five-fold increase over 12 years has substantially strengthened Assam’s fiscal capacity,” he said.Highlighting women-centric measures, Sonowal said the Budget strengthens “Nari Shakti” by enabling women to transition from Lakhpati Baideos (Didis) to enterprise owners through community-owned SHE-Marts. He welcomed the Viability Gap Funding to establish one girls’ hostel in every district, calling it a transformative step to ensure safety, access and continuity in higher education.“PM Narendra Modi’s conscious attempt at empowering ‘Nari Shakti’ is central to building a Viksit Bharat. When women are enabled as entrepreneurs, leaders and learners, the nation’s growth becomes faster, fairer and more resilient,” Sonowal said.Calling it a landmark step for peace and reconciliation, Sonowal welcomed the Rs 500 crore package for the rehabilitation of former ULFA cadres and their families. Additional allocations for Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC), Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), Adivasi communities and Dimasa communities will address long-standing socio-economic challenges.“The Union Budget 2026–27 touches every aspect of life in the northeast — from connectivity and cities to culture, health and livelihoods. It reflects the Modi govt’s steadfast commitment to Act East and to realising the aspirations of our people,” Sonowal said.
