The correct answer is: a) Central grants and taxes.
Central grants and taxes are the major source of revenue for the Assam government. In 2020-21, central grants and taxes accounted for 66.4% of the state’s total revenue. The remaining 33.6% of the state’s revenue came from state taxes, borrowings, and non-tax revenue.
Central grants are funds that are given by the central government to the state governments. These grants are given for a variety of purposes, such as infrastructure development, social welfare, and disaster relief. State taxes are taxes that are levied by the state government on its citizens. These taxes include income tax, sales tax, and property tax. Borrowings are funds that the state government borrows from financial institutions, such as banks and the Reserve Bank of India. Non-tax revenue is revenue that the state government earns from sources other than taxes, such as fees, fines, and interest.
Central grants and taxes are the most important sources of revenue for the Assam government because they provide a stable and predictable source of income. State taxes are also important, but they are more volatile than central grants and taxes. Borrowings can be used to finance large projects, but they can also lead to debt problems. Non-tax revenue is important, but it is not a major source of revenue for the Assam government.