Chhattisgarh will develop with determination: Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary

Chhattisgarh Assembly passes Rs 1.87 lakh crore appropriation bill

*Provision of Rs 10,000 crore for the Farmers' Advancement Scheme*

₹8,200 crore has been allocated for the Mahatari Vandan Yojana.

Raipur/ Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary presented a comprehensive and people-oriented Appropriation Bill of Rs. 1,87,500 crore for the Chhattisgarh government for the financial year 2026-27, laying out a strong blueprint for the overall development of the state. Responding to the discussion on the Appropriation Bill in the Assembly, the Finance Minister said that this budget has been prepared keeping in mind the aspirations of the state's 3 crore citizens and aims to ensure inclusive development, economic prosperity, and ensuring that the benefits of schemes reach the last person. The government has described this budget, prepared under the leadership of Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, as a "resolution-based budget," which is being considered an important step towards making the state a developed state by the year 2047.

*The financial structure of the budget is balanced and development oriented*

Finance Minister Shri O.P. Chaudhary informed the House that the total appropriation in the Appropriation Bill presented is ₹1,87,500 crore, which includes debt repayment and other adjustments. The net budget size has been set at ₹1,72,000 crore. Total receipts are also estimated at ₹1,72,000 crore, of which ₹1,41,000 crore is revenue receipts and ₹29,000 crore is capital receipts. Looking at expenditures, revenue expenditure is proposed at ₹1,45,000 crore and capital expenditure at ₹27,000 crore. The state's revenue deficit is estimated at only ₹2,000 crore, and the net fiscal deficit at ₹20,400 crore (2.87 percent of GSDP), reflecting the state's fiscal discipline and balanced management.

*Seven pillars of resolve and 5 new ambitious missions*

Finance Minister Mr. Chaudhary stated that this budget is based on the seven pillars of the resolution (inclusive development, infrastructure, investment, skilled human resources, Antyodaya, livelihood, and policy). To realize this vision, five new missions will be launched at a cost of ₹500 crore. A provision of ₹100 crore has been made for the Chief Minister's AI Mission (for the expansion of technology), ₹100 crore for the Chief Minister's Sports Excellence Mission, ₹100 crore for the Chief Minister's Tourism Development Mission, ₹100 crore for the Chief Minister's Infrastructure Mission, and ₹100 crore for the Chief Minister's Start-up and Nipun Mission.

The Finance Minister informed that Chhattisgarh is making steady progress economically. The state's economic growth rate in the year 2025-26 has been recorded at 8.11 percent, which is higher than the national average of 7.4 percent. Balanced growth in agriculture, industry and service sectors indicates the strong economic foundation of the state. Growth of 7.49 percent has been recorded in agriculture sector, 7.21 percent in industry and 9.11 percent in the service sector. Per capita income has increased to Rs 1 lakh 79 thousand 244, registering an increase of 10.07 percent. This growth indicates the acceleration in the state's economic activities and improvement in the income of citizens.

The Finance Minister stated that agriculture and farmer welfare have been given top priority in the budget. A provision of ₹10,000 crore has been made for the "Krishak Unnati Yojana," the largest item in the budget. The state government is purchasing paddy from farmers at the rate of ₹3,100 per quintal, and approximately ₹1.40 lakh crore has been paid directly into farmers' accounts so far. This has not only increased farmers' income but has also had a positive impact on the rural economy. To promote crop diversification, the government has included crops such as maize, kodo-kutki, ragi, and cotton in the scheme. Additionally, ₹5,500 crore has been allocated for free electricity supply for agricultural pumps, which will reduce the cost of farming.

Minister Shri Chaudhary stated that the budget also includes significant provisions for women's empowerment. Under the "Mahatari Vandan Yojana," approximately 7 million women in the state are receiving financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month. A provision of ₹8,200 crore has been made for the effective implementation of this scheme. The state government has prioritized the respect, security, and self-reliance of women by declaring 2026 as the "Mahatari Gaurav Year." Additionally, adequate budgetary allocations have been made for Anganwadi services, nutrition programs, and women and child development schemes. He stated that infrastructure development has been given special importance in this budget. A capital expenditure of ₹27,000 crore is proposed to develop robust infrastructure in the state. This includes ₹837 crore for the construction of 1,162 roads and ₹163 crore for the construction of 393 bridges. Irrigation projects have been allocated ₹4,400 crore and the Jal Jeevan Mission ₹3,000 crore. These provisions are expected to significantly improve connectivity, water supply, and agricultural production in rural and urban areas.

The Finance Minister stated that the budget also includes extensive provisions for health and education. A provision of ₹2,000 crore has been made for the National Health Mission and ₹1,500 crore for the Ayushman Yojana. The plan includes strengthening district hospitals, community health centers, and primary health centers, as well as establishing new medical colleges. In the field of education, the construction of 700 new school buildings and the upgrading of technical education institutions will provide a better educational environment for students. He stated that a balanced approach has been adopted in rural and urban development. For rural areas, ₹4,000 crore each has been allocated for the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Employment Guarantee Mission. In urban areas, ₹750 crore will be allocated for infrastructure development, and urban amenities will be expanded through the "Adarsh ​​Shahar Samriddhi Yojana." Additionally, efforts have been made to improve urban living standards through underground electrification, the Nalanda Campus, and housing schemes.

Minister Shri Choudhary stated that tourism and the preservation of cultural heritage have also been given special attention in the budget. Religious tourism will be promoted through the "Shakti Peetha Project," while the "Ramlala Darshan Yojana" will facilitate pilgrims' visits to religious sites. The homestay policy will provide self-employment opportunities for local residents and encourage tourism-related ancillary industries. He stated that to strengthen law and order, provisions have been made for the creation of 1,500 new Bastar Fighter posts, the establishment of 15 new police stations, and the formation of five cyber police stations. Additionally, technological improvements will be made in various departments to promote e-governance, digital services, and transparency.

Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary stated that this budget will emerge as a visionary and balanced development document for Chhattisgarh, playing a crucial role in engaging every section of society and making the state self-reliant and developed. He clarified that by ensuring effective implementation of schemes, the benefits of development will reach the last person in line, thereby realizing the dream of a "prosperous Chhattisgarh."

Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant, Women and Child Development Minister Smt. Laxmi Rajwade, MLAs Smt. Sangeeta Sinha, Mr. Umesh Patel, Ajay Chandrakar, Raghavendra Singh, Kiran Singhdev, Devendra Yadav, Dharamjeet Singh, Ramkumar Yadav and Sushant Shukla participated in the discussion on the Appropriation Bill.