Licence fees, rents, service charges to be revised for higher revenue generation in state

Guwahati: The Assam govt has directed its departments to step up revenue generation with timely revision and rationalisation of user charges, licence fees, lease rents and service charges wherever feasible, as additional measures besides austerity actions.


The finance (budget) department, in its notification, stated that amid the national appeal arising from the prevailing crisis in West Asia, “the govt considers it necessary to enforce additional measures of fiscal prudence and economy.”


It further stated that austerity measures to contain non-developmental expenditure and mobilisation of additional resources for priority schemes are intended to promote fiscal discipline without adversely affecting the operational efficiency of the govt.


Administrative departments have also been asked to commercially utilise govt assets, such as buildings and community halls constructed under various schemes, to generate revenue for the state.


The finance department has instructed that all revenue activities be routed exclusively through the Electronic Government Receipt Accounting System (e-GRAS) to ensure transparency.


On the energy front, departments have been advised to conduct energy audits in their offices to curb wastage of electricity.


Municipal authorities have been asked to cut down on wasteful power consumption, particularly in street lighting.


The guidelines also emphasise austerity in fuel use, urging officials to economise on petrol and diesel for personal travel and to promote public transport, carpooling and electric vehicle (EV) usage.


The transport department has been tasked with issuing notifications on incentives for EV purchases and developing charging infrastructure across the state.


In a significant green push, the department of housing and urban affairs (DoHUA) has been directed to initiate the transition of municipal public transport systems to non-fossil fuel alternatives within the next 12 months. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation has been asked to lead by example, moving towards a fully green public transport system.