Summary：Assam Budget 2026-27: Spotlight falls on polygamy after big announcement by state FM Jayanta Malla B

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Assam Budget 2026-27: Spotlight falls on polygamy after big announcement by state FM Jayanta Malla Baruah

**Introduction**
Finance Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah unveiled Assam’s 2026‑27 budget on March 12, presenting a fiscal plan that intertwines social reform with environmental stewardship. While the document earmarks funds for infrastructure, health and education, two provisions have dominated public discourse: a ban on government‑scheme benefits for polygamous men and the introduction of a green cess targeting polluting industries. Analysts say the measures reflect the state’s attempt to balance equity goals with sustainable growth imperatives.

**Key Developments**
The most talked‑about clause declares that any male beneficiary identified as having more than one legal spouse will be ineligible for state‑run welfare programs, including housing subsidies, scholarships and rural employment guarantees. Baruah argued that the move discourages practices deemed detrimental to gender equality and family welfare. Simultaneously, the budget proposes a green cess of 0.5 % on the gross turnover of factories emitting above‑prescribed levels of carbon dioxide, sulfur oxides and particulate matter. Revenue from the cess will be funneled into a newly created Assam Green Fund, earmarked for renewable‑energy projects, afforestation drives and clean‑technology incentives for small‑scale manufacturers.

**Industry Analysis**
Industry bodies have reacted cautiously. The Assam Chamber of Commerce warned that the green cess could raise production costs for cement, steel and textile units, potentially affecting competitiveness in national markets. However, environmental NGOs welcomed the levy as a long‑overdue internalization of ecological externalities, noting that similar fiscal tools have spurred green innovation in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Economists point out that the cess design—progressive and tied to measurable emissions—may encourage firms to adopt cleaner technologies without jeopardizing overall fiscal stability. On the social front, gender‑rights groups lauded the