Raipur, Chhattisgarh: Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary on Tuesday presented the Chhattisgarh Budget 2026-27 in the State Assembly, unveiling a ₹1.72 lakh crore financial plan under the theme “Sankalp”. The budget emphasizes inclusive growth, infrastructure, investment, skilled human resources, livelihood development, and social welfare.
Major Focus on Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare
The budget proposes several initiatives for farmers and agricultural development:
- Krisak Unnati Yojana: ₹10,000 crore allocation.
- Electric Pump Subsidies for Farmers: ₹5,500 crore.
- Sugarcane Farmers Bonus: ₹60 crore.
- Dairy Development: ₹90 crore under the Comprehensive Dairy Development Scheme.
- PM Gramin Sadak Yojana: ₹1,700 crore for rural road connectivity.
- PM Housing Scheme (Rural): ₹4,000 crore.
The budget also includes measures for tribal and landless agricultural workers, with ₹600 crore allocated for economic empowerment and welfare programs.
Health, Education, and Women-Child Development
Significant allocations have been made to strengthen health, education, and social welfare:
- Mahatari Vandan Scheme: ₹8,200 crore for mothers and children.
- Anganwadi Nutrition & Development: ₹2,320 crore.
- Healthcare Expansion: Establishment of medical colleges in Dantewada, Manendragarh, Kabirdham, Janjgir-Champa, and Kunkuri with ₹50 crore provision.
- Cashless Medical Facilities: ₹100 crore for government employees.
- Swami Vivekananda Excellent School Scheme: ₹100 crore.
- Rani Durgavati Scheme: ₹1.5 lakh for girls upon reaching 18 years of age.
Education infrastructure has been prioritized with the creation of Education Cities in Abujhmad and Jagragunda and ₹731 crore for university grants. ITI and Polytechnic institutions will receive ₹50 crore for modernization.
Infrastructure, Urban Development, and Roads
The budget proposes major infrastructure investments to enhance urban and rural connectivity:
- Chief Minister’s Rapid Road Connectivity Scheme: ₹200 crore for 36 key roads.
- Indravati Barrage Construction: ₹2,024 crore for Bastar region development.
- Urban Development: ₹200 crore for model city schemes, ₹750 crore for municipal infrastructure.
- Renewable Energy & Electricity: ₹354 crore for free electricity schemes and 100 new 33/11 KV substations.
- Metro Rail & Storage Facilities: ₹150 crore for urban projects.
Industrial, Tourism, and Economic Development
To boost investment and employment, the budget includes:
- Industrial Development: ₹100 crore for 23 new industrial parks.
- Tourism Promotion: ₹5 crore for Manpat tourism development and additional projects in Bastar.
- Tribal and Regional Development: ₹75 crore each for Bastar and Surguja Development Authorities.
Youth Empowerment and Skill Development
The budget allocates ₹1,097 crore for youth initiatives including competitive exam support, ITI skill development, and excellence centers in government colleges across Durg, Jashpur, Raipur, Balodabazar, and Raigarh.
“Sankalp” Budget Theme
The budget is the third of the Sai government, following the previous themes “Gyan” and “Gati”, and is built around the SANKALP framework:
- S – Inclusive Development
- A – Infrastructure
- N – Investment
- K – Skilled Human Resources
- A – Antyodaya (upliftment of marginalized)
- L – Livelihood
- P – Policy to Results
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary emphasized that the budget focuses on holistic growth, supporting farmers, women, children, youth, and rural development while improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure across the state.
