Education, Regional Growth and Welfare Measures Drive New Budget Focus
- Bilkul Online | By Rafat Quadri
- Ahmeddabad | 19 Feb 2026
The Gujarat government has announced a ₹2,000 crore allocation in the 2026–27 state Budget to implement region-specific economic master plans aimed at achieving balanced and holistic development across six regions — Kutch, South Gujarat, Central Gujarat, North Gujarat, Saurashtra, and coastal Saurashtra.
Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education Trikam Chhanga said the projects are designed according to local needs to boost economic activity, employment, and investment opportunities.
Key highlights of the Budget include:
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Education allocation exceeds ₹63,000 crore, marking the highest-ever provision for the sector.
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₹400 crore under Chief Minister Yuva Swavalamban Yojana to support over 90,000 students.
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16 new government colleges to be opened, with expansion works in existing institutions and new academic streams introduced.
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₹96 crore for sports infrastructure in government colleges and universities.
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Special focus on Kutch region, including ₹230 crore for the Dudhai Sub-Branch Canal and ₹97 crore for ecological restoration projects such as removal of invasive gando baval and grassland development.
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₹28 crore allocated for 10 Community Health Centres across tribal and rural districts.
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Support for milk producer cooperative unions in Kutch and Saurashtra for infrastructure enhancement.
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Additional investments include ₹80 crore for the i-Hub innovation ecosystem in Ahmedabad, improved IT infrastructure in technical institutions, and hostel and research facilities at L.D. College of Engineering.
Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja also highlighted social welfare measures, including increasing the annual income limit for post-matric scholarships for Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste students from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹6 lakh, and a relief package of over ₹11,000 crore for farmers affected by floods and unseasonal rains.