Intro: Gujarat unveils Rs 4.08 lakh crore Budget, boosting development and welfare initiatives
Gandhinagar
Gujarat continues to strengthen its position as one of India’s leading economic powerhouses, contributing 8.2 per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
With a per capita income of Rs 3,01,000, nearly 60 per cent higher than the national average the state has demonstrated consistent economic resilience and growth.
Addressing a press conference in Gandhinagar on Thursday, Gujarat BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma lauded Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Finance Minister Kanu Desai for presenting the Rs 4,08,053 crore Budget for the financial year 2026-27. He termed the Budget a quantum jump towards achieving the vision of a developed Gujarat by 2047. The outlay marks a 10.2 per cent increase over the previous year and has been introduced without imposing any new taxes.
Vishwakarma stated that the Budget reflects the aspirations of the state’s 6.5 crore residents and aims to accelerate Gujarat’s uninterrupted development journey. He emphasised that it prioritises the welfare of the poor, youth, farmers, and women under the guiding principle of Sarv Sukhay, Sarv Hitay ensuring happiness and benefit for all.
Structured around a six-point framework; Talent, Technology, Transformation, Tourism, Trust, and Transparency the Budget places strong emphasis on human development. Key focus areas include employment generation, education, healthcare, infrastructure expansion, tourism promotion, technological advancement, artificial intelligence integration, and heritage conservation.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, 3.15 lakh new houses will be constructed for economically weaker sections and workers. Additionally, 75 lakh families will continue to receive free ration support. The state will deploy 50 new Dhanvantari Health Raths and establish 121 centres under the Shram Annapurna Yojana to provide nutritious meals at Rs five.
More than 2.72 crore beneficiaries will receive healthcare coverage through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and the Chief Minister Amrutam Yojana. A total allocation of Rs 260 crore has been earmarked for workers’ skill enhancement initiatives.
Further strengthening employment prospects, the Gujarat Kaushalya and Rozgar Mission has been allocated Rs 226 crore. A state-of-the-art research park will be set up at L.D. Engineering College in Ahmedabad, along with regional start-up centres in Surat, Vadodara, Mehsana, and Rajkot.