Gujarat Finance Minister Kanu Desai presented the 2025-26 budget, allocating a record Rs 3,70,250 crore, focusing on education, infrastructure, skill development, and social welfare. Notable allocations include Rs 59,999 crore for education, enhancing quality and accessibility, and Rs 40,000 crore for healthcare improvements. Key initiatives feature the Namo Lakshmi Yojana for girls’ education and over Rs 10,000 crore for skill development. The budget supports agriculture with Rs 25,000 crore for irrigation and smart farming, while promoting green energy with Rs 12,000 crore for renewable projects. The presentation was notably made in a traditional ‘pothi’ instead of a briefcase.
Gandhinagar:
On Thursday, Gujarat’s Finance Minister Kanu Desai unveiled the state budget for 2025-26 in the Assembly, featuring a historic allocation of Rs 3,70,250 crore. This budget is the fourth in a row under his guidance, with a keen focus on education, infrastructure, skill development, and social welfare.
A standout aspect of the budget is the Rs 59,999 crore earmarked for education, underscoring Gujarat’s determination to modernize its education system in line with global standards and the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The budget prioritizes enhancements in education quality and accessibility. The Mission Schools of Excellence programme is set to receive Rs 2,914 crore, aimed at upgrading over 25,000 classrooms. The Namo Lakshmi Yojana has been granted Rs 1,250 crore to support girls’ education, while Rs 782 crore is allocated under the Right to Education (RTE) Act to assist students in private institutions. Additionally, the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana will allocate Rs 250 crore to benefit 2.5 lakh students, and Rs 223 crore is reserved for student travel concessions on State Transport (ST) buses.
The Gyan Shakti Residential Schools of Excellence are set to receive Rs 200 crore to improve residential educational facilities. Scholarships see a noteworthy boost with Rs 100 crore for the Gyan Sadhana Merit Scholarship, benefiting 75,000 students, and Rs 70 crore for the Gyan Setu Merit Scholarship, aiding 90,000 students. The recruitment of over 22,000 teachers in government and aided schools is also in progress to tackle staff shortages and elevate education quality. A significant part of the budget is directed towards infrastructure development, emphasizing roadways, public transportation, and smart city projects.
Key investments comprise Rs 5,000 crore for road expansion, Rs 4,000 crore for smart city initiatives, and Rs 3,500 crore for urban housing developments. The government seeks to improve connectivity between industrial centers and rural areas, spurring economic growth. The healthcare segment has been allocated over Rs 40,000 crore, aiming to build new hospitals and upgrade existing ones.
A notable initiative includes the incorporation of AI-driven diagnostics in government hospitals to improve patient care. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana has been allocated Rs 3,200 crore to expand healthcare coverage for low-income families.
Gujarat remains dedicated to women’s empowerment, with Rs 15,000 crore set aside for schemes aimed at nutrition, financial independence, and safety. The Namo Lakshmi Yojana and Mukhyamantri Mahila Udyam Yojana stand out as key initiatives that foster education and entrepreneurship among women.
The government also aims to bolster anganwadis and child nutrition initiatives, ensuring improved healthcare for children in both rural and urban settings.
As Gujarat positions itself as an industrial hub, the budget places a strong emphasis on job creation and entrepreneurship. The state has allocated Rs 10,000 crore for skill development and startup incentives, concentrating on IT, AI, renewable energy, and manufacturing sectors. New training centers and incubation hubs will be established to prepare the youth with industry-ready skills. In support of Gujarat’s agricultural sector, the government has allocated Rs 25,000 crore for irrigation, smart farming strategies, and crop insurance subsidies.
The Mukhyamantri Kisan Yojana is set for significant enhancements, ensuring improved irrigation and financial aid for farmers. The focus is on sustainable farming practices, water conservation, and the integration of technology in agriculture. Gujarat has dedicated Rs 12,000 crore for solar, wind, and hydrogen power initiatives, with plans to increase solar capacity by 5,000 MW and develop electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, positioning Gujarat as a leader in India’s green energy shift.
Finance Minister Desai presented the budget using a red ‘pothi’ (ledger book) instead of the usual briefcase. The pothi was artistically decorated with Warli paintings and Ahir embroidery, embodying Gujarat’s rich tribal and folk heritage. The Ashoka Stambh was prominently displayed, signifying national pride and governance.
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