Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel stated on Sunday that the Union Budget centres on the poor, youth, food providers, women, and Divyangjan, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive growth and a self-reliant India.
Commenting on the budget, CM Patel said, “Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi has always given priority to the common people. Under his leadership, this budget is taking forward the Reform Express for a developed and self-reliant India.” He also congratulated Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting the budget for the ninth consecutive time.
The Chief Minister noted that the budget, prepared in Kartavya Bhavan, is centred around three core duties and aims to strengthen key pillars of society. He stated, “In it, the pillars of knowledge, the poor, youth, food providers, women power and Divyangjan will be strengthened,” and added that the budget adopts an approach ensuring every section of society is covered with the mantra of “Sauna Saath, Sauna Vikasna.”
Patel highlighted that special focus on infrastructure, industries, cutting-edge technology, semiconductors, and data centres would provide a significant boost to economic growth. “The emphasis on MSMEs will greatly benefit small and micro industries,” he said, also noting that incentives for the manufacturing sector would further enhance Gujarat’s industrial ecosystem.
Regarding logistics and connectivity, he remarked, “The dedicated freight corridor from Dankuni to Surat will provide fast logistics services for the state’s trade, industry and manufacturing sector.” He added that Gujarat’s textile sector would benefit from six schemes announced to promote textiles, while the announcement of three chemical parks and an allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for biopharma industries would strengthen Gujarat’s position in these sectors.
Patel pointed out Gujarat’s leadership in municipal bond issuances, stating, “The municipalities of Gujarat will also get the benefit of the incentives announced for municipal bonds in this budget.” He welcomed the plan to develop Tier-II and Tier-III cities with populations above five lakh as City Economic Regions, anticipating it would accelerate integrated urban development.
On tourism and heritage, Patel noted that including Lothal and Dholavira in the archaeological heritage cluster tourism programme would fulfil the vision of “heritage, development” in Gujarat. He added that training 10,000 tourist guides would boost local employment.
Praising tax reforms, the Chief Minister said, “The Prime Minister has always respected taxpayers and called them the driving force of the country’s development,” further noting that treating tax errors as mistakes rather than crimes reflects trust in honest taxpayers.
Meanwhile, the Finance Ministry stated that this is the first budget prepared in Kartavya Bhawan and is inspired by three ‘kartavyas’ (duties). The first is to accelerate and sustain economic growth by enhancing productivity and competitiveness and building resilience against global volatility. The second aims to fulfil people’s aspirations and build their capacity to be strong partners in India’s prosperity. The third, aligned with the vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, seeks to ensure all families, communities, regions, and sectors have access to resources, amenities, and opportunities for meaningful participation.
The Ministry estimates non-debt receipts and total expenditure at Rs 36.5 lakh crore and Rs 53.5 lakh crore, respectively. The Centre’s net tax receipts are projected at Rs 28.7 lakh crore. Gross market borrowings are estimated at Rs 17.2 lakh crore, with net borrowings from dated securities at Rs 11.7 lakh crore. Revised estimates of non-debt receipts stand at Rs 34 lakh crore, including the Centre’s net tax receipts of Rs 26.7 lakh crore.