Gujarat Prioritizes Health, Education in Record Budget, Allocates Large Sums for Development

Gandhinagar : The Gujarat government unveiled its 2024-25 budget on Friday, allocating record sums to key sectors like education, health, water supply, and urban development. This year's budget, the largest in the state's history, reflects the government's commitment to improving the lives of its citizens and fostering sustainable development.

Education Takes Center Stage:

• Education received the highest allocation of ₹55,114 crore, marking a significant increase from last year's ₹11,463 crore.
• This reflects the government's focus on strengthening primary and secondary education through initiatives like Mission Schools of Excellence and building new classrooms.
• Over 1 lakh computers will be distributed across schools, and work on 45,000 smart classrooms is ongoing.

Boosting Healthcare Infrastructure:

• The Health Department budget witnessed a 32.4% jump to ₹20,100 crore, prioritizing infrastructure development and service improvement across all levels.
• A provision of ₹3,110 crore aims to provide cashless healthcare under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, ensuring accessibility for up to 10 lakh patients.
• Investments in medical colleges, hospitals, and three-tier health systems further demonstrate the government's commitment to healthcare improvement.

Investing in Infrastructure and Development:

• The Urban Development and Housing Department received ₹21,696 crore, focusing on expanding Gift City in Gandhinagar and urban development projects.
• ₹22,163 crore were allocated for the Roads and Housing Department, while ₹11,535 crore were earmarked for the Water Assets Department to support infrastructure development.
• The government also committed ₹6,242 crore to the Water Supply Department to ensure better water access for citizens.

Sustainability and Security:

• The budget recognized the importance of combating climate change by allocating ₹1,163 crore specifically for related initiatives.
• The Home Department received ₹10,378 crore, while the Law Department received ₹2,559 crore, highlighting the government's focus on maintaining security and legal systems.

Overall, the 2024-25 budget reflects the Gujarat government's proactive approach towards its citizens' well-being. By prioritizing key sectors like education, health, and infrastructure, the government aims to achieve inclusive and sustainable development for the state.