Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has allocated Rs 3,472 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya–Mukhyamantri Amrutam (PMJAY-MA) scheme in the 2026-27 state budget. Covering over 2.72 crore people, the scheme has already provided cashless treatment to more than 68 lakh beneficiaries, Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai announced.
The state is also expanding In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) services, with facilities available at the Institute of Kidney Diseases & Research Centre (IKDRC), Ahmedabad, and plans to extend services to Surat, Bhavnagar, and Jamnagar.
Comprehensive Support for Agriculture and Farmers
The budget emphasizes agriculture and allied sectors, including flood and unseasonal rain relief for over 33 lakh farmers, with a package exceeding Rs 11,000 crore.
Other highlights include:
- Procurement support: Over 9.5 lakh farmers benefitted from minimum support price procurement worth over Rs 18,000 crore for crops such as groundnut, soybean, and cotton.
- Mechanisation assistance: Rs 1,565 crore allocated for tractors, power tillers, seed drills, and harvesters.
- Organic farming: Rs 39 crore for Centres of Excellence, market support, branding, and certification.
- Irrigation projects: Rs 3,043 crore for Sujalam-Suflam pipeline, Sauni, and Kutch projects, along with Rs 958 crore for the second phase of canal irrigation in remote Ahmedabad villages.
- Micro-irrigation coverage: 25 lakh hectares under ‘Per Drop More Crop’ scheme.
- Fisheries and livestock: Rs 1,340 crore for infrastructure and Rs 500 crore for the Gau Mata Poshan scheme.
- Kisan Credit Card and bio-CNG plants: Rs 1,539 crore and Rs 112 crore allocated respectively.
Housing, Education, and Skill Development Initiatives
The budget aims to provide over 3.15 lakh houses through various schemes, including PM Awas Yojana, Dr Ambedkar Awas, Pandit Deendayal Awas, and Halpati Awas, with Rs 4,272 crore allocated.
Education and skill development provisions include:
- 926 new P.M. Shri schools and integrated schools from Balvatika to Grade 10 with Rs 120 crore allocation.
- 15 new libraries in tribal areas, including Namo Central Library in Gandhinagar, with Rs 100 crore allocation.
- Science education (Namo Saraswati initiative): Rs 250 crore
- Skill training (Namo Gujarat Skill & Employment Mission): Rs 226 crore
- Chief Minister Apprenticeship Scheme: Rs 80 crore supporting over one lakh trainees
Read also: Gujarat’s Cooperative Manthan Highlights Innovative Schemes for Rural Growth and Farmer Welfare
Industrialisation, Trade, and Digital Governance
To enhance business and industry, the budget includes:
- Modernisation of 25 GIDCs with Rs 1,250 crore and Rs 50 crore for 120 mini GIDC upgrades.
- New industrial estates in Dahod, Aravalli, and tribal districts to boost employment.
- Gujarat State Export Promotion Council to promote trade.
- Digital governance and AI initiatives: Rs 850 crore for AI and digital governance projects, along with Data Fusion Centres and Centers of Excellence.
Tourism, Tribal Development, and Regional Balance
- Tourism: 2026 declared as Gujarat Tourism Year with Rs 6,500 crore allocation.
- Tribal development: Rs 35,000 crore allocated for development in tribal areas, including lift irrigation and five new GIDC industrial areas.
- Balanced regional development: Rs 7,000 crore for six Regional Economic Master Plans to realise ‘Developed Gujarat 2047’ vision.
The budget also promotes Vocal for Local initiatives, supporting artisans through domestic markets and e-commerce platforms under One District, One Product, fostering inclusive growth.
Five Pillars of Gujarat Budget 2026-27
The budget, with a total outlay of Rs 4,08,000 crore (10.2% higher than last year), is based on five major pillars:
- Social Security
- Human Resource Development
- Infrastructure Development
- Economic Growth
- Green Growth
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel emphasized that 65% of the total expenditure is allocated for development-focused initiatives, with no new taxes introduced, aiming for inclusive progress across the state.
Read also: Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel Announces Penalty Interest Waiver for Rural Housing Loan Beneficiaries
