UK: A balanced budget of ₹1.11 lakh crore is a strong step towards a developed Uttarakhand: CM Dhami

• Focus on the poor, youth, farmers, and women, a roadmap for the balance of development and heritage
  Gairsain: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the budget for the financial year 2026-27 as a roadmap for Uttarakhand’s future, saying it is not just a document of figures but a budget that sets the direction for the state’s overall development. He stated in a press conference that this budget of approximately ₹1.11 lakh crore reflects a balance of development, heritage, culture, and modernity and is an important step towards a “developed Uttarakhand for a developed India.” The Chief Minister pointed out that at the time of statehood, Uttarakhand’s economy was approximately ₹14,500 crore, which has now increased to approximately ₹3.81 lakh crore, representing a growth of more than 26 times. Similarly, per capita income was ₹15,285 in 2000-01, which is projected to increase to ₹273,921 in the financial year 2025-26. He said that the state’s real growth rate compared to last year is estimated at 7.23 percent, which is around the national average.

The Chief Minister said that the state government has maintained excellent fiscal discipline by adhering to all the parameters of the FRBM Act. The government has maintained a revenue surplus and kept the fiscal deficit within 3 percent of GSDP. He said this reflects the state’s efficient financial management. The budget proposes a total expenditure of ₹111,703 crore, which includes ₹64,989 crore for revenue expenditure and ₹18,153 crore for capital expenditure. Total receipts are estimated at ₹110,143 crore. The Chief Minister stated that the state’s share of taxes from the central government will be approximately ₹17,415 crore, and approximately ₹18,491 crore will be received as assistance under various central schemes.

The Chief Minister stated that this budget has been prepared with the poor, farmers, youth, and women at the center. Provisions of ₹1,327 crore have been made for social security pension schemes, ₹1,300 crore for the Annapurna Yojana, ₹298 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) and ₹56 crore for the Urban Housing Scheme. ₹11,871 crore has been allocated for education and sports for youth, and ₹586 crore for skill development programs. ₹1,113 crore has been allocated for agriculture and horticulture, while ₹815 crore has been allocated for animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries.

The Chief Minister stated that a gender budget of ₹19,692 crore has been allocated this year for women’s empowerment. Under this, schemes such as Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, the Eja-Boi Shagun Yojana, the Chief Minister’s Mahalaxmi Kit, and the Nanda Gaura Yojana will be further expanded. He stated that to strengthen the state’s infrastructure, ₹2,501 crore has been allocated for the Public Works Department, ₹1,609 crore for the energy sector, and ₹1,642 crore for minor irrigation. The Chief Minister also stated that several new schemes are being launched in the budget. These include approximately ₹1,027 crore for Kumbh Mela preparations, ₹15 crore for cyber security, ₹18.5 crore for eco-tourism infrastructure, ₹10 crore for the development of Spiritual Economic Zones, and ₹13 crore for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

He said the government is also promoting innovation. Under this initiative, schemes such as kiwi and dragon fruit production, trout fish farming, apple nursery development, Chief Minister’s Youth Future Building Scheme, and the Scent Revolution are being launched. The Chief Minister said the core mantra of this budget is SANTULAN, which stands for inclusiveness, self-reliance, new thinking, rapid development, advanced villages and cities, public participation, economic strength, and a just system. He said the government’s goal is to establish Uttarakhand among the leading states in the country by balancing development and the environment. He said this budget truly documents the journey from “a resolution without any option to a developed Uttarakhand.”