Gujarat Unveils Record Budget of ₹3.32 Lakh Crore, Aiming for "Developed Gujarat @ 2047"

Gandhinagar : Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai presented the largest budget in Gujarat's history on Friday, February 2nd, setting a roadmap for the state's development until 2047. The ₹3.32 lakh crore budget, marking a ₹31,444 crore increase from last year, focuses on five key pillars: social security, human resource development, infrastructure, economic development, and green growth.

Key Highlights:

• Eight new Maha Municipalities: Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, Mehsana, Surendranagar, and Wadhwan will be elevated to the status of Maha Municipalities, bringing the total to 16 in the state.
• Boosting education and healthcare: Budget allocations for the Education Department increased by 26.3% to ₹55,114 crore, while the Health and Family Welfare Department received a 32.4% hike to ₹20,100 crore.
• Namo Lakshmi Yojana: This new scheme aims to reduce girl student drop-out rates by providing financial incentives from Class 9 to 12. Around 10 lakh girls will benefit, with the government allocating ₹1250 crore.
• Namo Saraswati Yojana: Under this scheme, poor and middle-class girl students will be given ₹10,000 in Class 11 and ₹15,000 in Class 12.
• Infrastructure push: Capital expenditure increased by 10.9% to ₹1,08,615 crore, aiming to improve roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects.
• Vision 2047: The budget aims to achieve the vision of "Developed Gujarat @ 2047" by focusing on economic growth, quality of life, and sustainability.

Other noteworthy points:

• 2500 new buses to be added to the state's transportation network.
• Target to increase Gujarat's economy from US$0.28 trillion to US$3.5 trillion by 2047.
• Public debt kept below 15.27% of GSDP, despite increasing expenditure.
• Focus on schemes related to nutrition, education, and health for all-round development.

Overall, the budget reflects the Gujarat government's ambitious vision for the future. By investing in key sectors like education, healthcare, and infrastructure, the government aims to improve the lives of its citizens and achieve sustainable economic growth.