Gujarat Finance Minister Kanu Desai presented the budget for the financial year 2025-26. Budget size for the financial year 2025-26 is Rs. 3,70,250 crore.
Here are the highlights from his budget speech:
3 lakh houses for the poor
The government will prioritise housing, food security, and nutrition for the development of the poor and underprivileged.
A plan has been announced to provide over 3 lakh houses to fulfill the dream of "a home of their own" for the poor. The financial assistance under schemes like Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), Dr. Ambedkar Awas Yojana, Pandit Deendayal Awas Yojana, and Halpati Awas Yojana has been increased from the current Rs. 1.2 lakh per house to Rs. 1.7 lakh, with a significant increment of Rs.50,000 per unit.
Annual assistance of Rs 12,000 for persons with disabilities
Rs 617 cr allocation for ‘Mukhyamantri Poushtik Alpahar Yojana’
Rs 270 cr allocated for the Anganwadi scheme
Allocation of Rs 200 cr for ‘Mukhyamantri Shramik Basera Yojana’
Rs 2,175 cr allocated for ‘Kisan Suryodaya Yojana’
New Greenfield airport to be developed in Dahod
A new Greenfield airport will be constructed in Dahod. Additionally, Rs 45 crore has been allocated to connect smaller cities through air routes.
Promotion of MSMEs
Finance Minister Kanu Desai has emphasised the promotion of MSMEs. A budget allocation of Rs3,600 crore has been made for various MSME and startup schemes. The textile policy is expected to generate employment for 5 lakh people. Additionally, Rs2,000 crore has been allocated for various incentives under the Gujarat Textile Policy.
Big announcement on State Transport bus services
A total of 1,850 new buses will be introduced, including 1,450 deluxe buses and 450 midi buses
200 premium AC buses and 10 car vans will also be added
An audio-video alert system will be installed in ST buses to help prevent accidents
Major budget allocations:
Rs 30,325 crore allocated for the Urban Housing and Construction Department
Rs 5,120 crore allocated for Tribal Development
Rs 13,772 crore allocated for the Panchayat, Rural Housing, and Rural Development Department
Rs 25,642 crore allocated for the Narmada, Water Resources, Water Supply, and Kalpsar Department
Rs 876 crore allocated for the Bhadbhut Barrage Project
Budget allocations for key departments:
Rs 2,782 crore allocated for the Labour, Skill Development, and Employment Department
Rs 23,385 crore allocated for the Health and Family Welfare Department
Rs 6,807 crore allocated for the Social Justice and Empowerment Department
Rs 7,668 crore allocated for the Women and Child Development Department
Rs 2,712 crore allocated for the Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Department
Rs1,093 crore allocated for the Sports, Youth, and Cultural Activities Department
Rs 24,705 crore allocated for the Roads and Buildings Department
Rs 5,120 crore allocated for Tribal Development
Rs 30,325 crore allocated for the Urban Housing and Construction Department
Rs 13,772 crore allocated for the Panchayat, Rural Housing, and Rural Development Department
Fund allocation for various ministries
Rs 22,498 crore allocated for the Agriculture, Farmer Welfare, and Cooperation Department
Rs 6,751 crore allocated for the Energy and Petrochemicals Department
Rs 1,999 crore allocated for the General Administration Department
Rs 429 crore allocated for Climate Change Initiatives
Rs 12,659 crore allocated for the Home Department
Rs 2,654 crore allocated for the Law and Justice Department
Rs 362 crore allocated for the Information and Broadcasting Department
Rs 5,427 crore allocated for the Revenue Department
Rs 3,140 crore allocated for the Forest and Environment Department
Viksit Gujarat Fund - Rs 50,000 Crore
What did the Industry & Mining Department get?
Rs 4,283 crore allocated for the Ports and Transport Department.
Rs 2,535 crore for the Education and Technology Department.
Rs11,706 crore allocated for the Industry & Mining Department.
Rs 2,748 crore allocated for tourism and pilgrimage development.
Major announcements for Civil Aviation & Pilgrimage tourism:
Rs 250 crore allocated for Navlakhi and Magdalla ports.
Rs 2,748 crore for pilgrimage tourism and civil aviation.
Urban Development initiatives
Urban department budget raised by 40% to Rs30,325 crore.
New Municipal Corporations: Rs 2,300 crore allocated for developing 9 newly announced municipal corporations.
Municipality upgrades: 69 municipalities to be restructured; major upgrades for Khambhaliya, Lunawada, Modasa, Vyara, Chhota Udepur, Dahod, and Rajpipla.
Religious & Heritage City Development: Dwarka, Palitana, Chotila, Dakor, and Vadnagar to receive special upgrades.
Water Conservation:Rs 250 crore for groundwater recharge under "Catch the Rain" campaign.
Rural Infrastructure:Rs 100 crore for city-like facilities in large villages and urban-adjacent areas.
Riverfront Development: Rs350 crore allocated for completing Ahmedabad-GIFT City-Gandhinagar Sabarmati Riverfront project.
Metro Expansion: Rs 2,730 crore for Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar Metro Phase-2 (completion by Dec 2025) & Surat Metro (55% work done).
Public Transport: Rs 1,128 crore for 2,060 new buses, including 400 midi buses for rural-industrial connectivity.
Law & Order Strengthening:
Recruitment of 14,000+ SRP, armed & unarmed police constables.
1,390 new traffic police posts for enhanced road safety.
Green Initiative: Rs 90 crore allocated for "Harit Van Path" to increase tree cover with public participation.
Pensioner Verification Reform: 5,14,000 state pensioners to get online and free doorstep survival verification.
Cyber Security & Law Enforcement:
Cyber Center of Excellence at the state level.
Cyber Forensic Labs in all districts.
Anti-Narcotics Task Force operational unit to combat drug trafficking.
Rs 352 crore allocated for these initiatives.
Enhanced Insurance Coverage:
Over 4.45 crore beneficiaries across various categories covered under Janata Group Accident Insurance Scheme.
Current insurance cover of Rs 50,000-Rs 2 lakh to be increased to Rs 2 lakh-Rs 4 lakh next year.
Expansion of Medicity: Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, and Rajkot to get Medicity-like facilities; Neurology Institute at Ahmedabad Medicity announced.
Food & Drug Testing Labs: Modern laboratories to be set up in Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, Junagadh, Mehsana, and Valsad.
Major announcements for Farmers & Agriculture
Kisan Suryodaya Yojana strengthened: Rs 2175 crore allocated to ensure daytime electricity for farmers.
Natural Agriculture campaign: Rs 400+ crore allocated for various initiatives promoting natural farming.
Increased Tractor assistance: Farmers’ assistance for tractor purchase increased to Rs 1 lakh. Rs 1612 crore allocated for farm implements, mini tractors, fertilizers, and equipment.
Crop protection: Rs 500 crore provisioned for fencing fields to prevent damage from wild animals.
Agro processing & Export promotion: Rs 100 crore allocated to boost farmers' income through value addition.
Fisheries development package: Rs 1622 crore allocated to increase fish production and create employment.
Tourism & Religious development
Rs 6505 crore allocated, with a 31% increase in the Tourism Department’s budget.
Integrated Tourism development: 150 roads to be developed & 200 new AC buses to be introduced for tourists.
Ambaji development: Rs 180 crore allocated for the development of Ambaji, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.
Religious Pilgrimage Infrastructure: Infrastructure improvements planned for religious cities like Dwarka, Somnath, Bahucharaji, Girnar, Pavagadh, Siddhapur, Dakor, Patan & Palitana
Business & Entrepreneurship support
Industry & Startups: Rs 3600 crore allocated to support small, medium & large industries, including startup units.
Gujarat Textile policy: Rs 2000 crore allocated to support textile units.
Vajpayee Bankable scheme: Loan limit increased by Rs 25 lakh, subsidy increased to Rs 3.75 lakh; scheme budget doubled to Rs 480 crore.
Self-Employment for Marginalised communities: 7% interest subsidy for women & 6% interest subsidy for men on loans up to Rs 10 lakh for SC, ST & OBC youth.
Youth Empowerment & Development
Scholarships for Students: Rs 4827 crore allocated for scholarships benefiting over 81 lakh students at various educational stages.
Centralised Kitchen System: Rs 551 crore allocated for setting up centralised kitchens in 72 talukas with the help of voluntary organisations to provide nutritious meals to primary school students.
Hostels for Higher Education: Samaras Kumar & Kanya hostels to be built in 10 districts, benefiting 13,000+ students.
Sports Infrastructure Development: International standard sports facilities to be developed at Sardar Patel Sports Enclave & Karai, Ahmedabad, under the “Khele te Khile” initiative.
ITI Upgradation: Rs 450 crore allocated to upgrade ITIs with modern technology & equipment as per industry demand.
AI Labs: AI labs to be established at LD Engineering College, Ahmedabad, and six other government technical institutions.
Startup Ecosystem Expansion: New i-Hubs planned in four regions to expand the startup ecosystem beyond Ahmedabad.
Employment in Service Sector: “Global Capability Centers” (GCC) policy to create 50,000+ jobs in the service sector.
Tribal development initiatives
Celebrating the 150th birth anniversary of Bhagwan Shri Birsa Munda.
Rs 1100 crore allocated (37.5% increase) for education, employment, and infrastructure development in tribal areas.
Two new Expressways to be built in Gujarat
The road from Deesa to Pipavav will be developed as the Namashakti Expressway
The road connecting Ahmedabad to Rajkot, along with its extension to religious destinations like Dwarka, Somnath, and Porbandar, will be developed as the Somnath-Dwarka Expressway
