Uttarakhand Budget Hits Rs 1.19 Lakh Crore: Massive Push for Farmers and Infrastructure
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami presents Uttarakhand's Rs 1.19 lakh crore budget focusing on farmers, infrastructure, and health ahead of 2027 elections.
In a significant financial move ahead of the 2027 Legislative Assembly elections, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has presented the Uttarakhand state budget 2026-27 at the Vidhan Sabha Bhawan in Gairsain. The state's financial roadmap has seen a substantial expansion, with the total budget size climbing to Rs 1,19,547.39 crore.
This increase comes via a Supplementary Budget proposing an additional outlay of Rs 7,844.18 crore, which was added to the initial budget of Rs 1,11,703.21 crore. Of this supplementary amount, the government has prioritized growth, earmarking Rs 4,164.32 crore for Capital Expenditure to strengthen state infrastructure, while Rs 3,679.86 crore has been designated for Revenue Expenditure.
Empowering Local Bodies and Urban Development
Following the recommendations of the 6th State Finance Commission, the Dhami government has increased the share of state tax revenue for local bodies from 10.5 per cent to 12.5 per cent. This shift includes an allocation of Rs 721 crore for rural and urban local bodies and Rs 500 crore under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme.
Water security and urban upgrades also feature prominently in the budget:
- Jal Jeevan Mission: Rs 300 crore for contractor clearances.
- Gairsain Water Supply Dam Project: Rs 122 crore.
- KfW Drinking Water Project: Rs 110 crore.
- ADB-funded Urban Schemes: Rs 100 crore.
A Major Boost for Farmers and Rural Economy
The agricultural and dairy sectors have received a massive financial injection to ensure food security and farmer welfare. A staggering Rs 1,100 crore has been allocated for the procurement of paddy and wheat under the Food Supply Scheme.
Further investments in the rural economy include:
- Climate Resilient Rainfed Agriculture Project (JICA-assisted): Rs 70 crore.
- PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME): Rs 35 crore.
- Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Cooperative Farmers Welfare Scheme: Rs 20 crore.
- Trout Promotion Scheme (FIDF): Rs 28 crore.
- Farmer Pensions: Rs 9 crore.
- Gau Sadans (Cow Shelters): Rs 9 crore.
- New Beekeeping Policy: Rs 1 crore.
Infrastructure, Safety, and Cultural Heritage
The government is addressing critical geological and civic needs, including Rs 48 crore for remediation of ground subsidence in Joshimath and other affected regions. To modernize administration, Rs 40 crore is set aside for a new State Data Centre.
Security and judicial upgrades include Rs 55 crore for police infrastructure and Rs 22 crore for judicial infrastructure. Additionally, Rs 15 crore is earmarked for urban department office buildings and Rs 5 crore for panchayat building construction.
Looking toward cultural events, the state has allocated Rs 290 crore for the upcoming Divya Kumbh Mela. Furthermore, Rs 30 crore will be used for the time-bound execution of Haridwar-Ganga corridor works, and Rs 20 crore has been provided for the Nanda Rajjat Yatra.
Healthcare and Power Sector Upgrades
Public health remains a priority with the allocation of Rs 100 crore for the Atal Ayushman Yojana, providing cashless medical coverage of up to Rs 5.5 lakh per family. Government employees will benefit from the Employee Golden Card Scheme, which has received Rs 125 crore.
Medical infrastructure is also expanding, with Rs 160 crore earmarked for capital works at state nursing colleges and medical colleges in Pithoragarh and Rudrapur. In the energy sector, Rs 270 crore is allocated for grid, transmission, and distribution improvements, including the Khurpia Farm project.
Investing in Youth, Education, and Sports
The budget places a strong emphasis on the future of Uttarakhand's youth through digital and academic initiatives:
- Digital Learning: Rs 200 crore allocated across school and higher education departments.
- Sports University: Rs 35 crore for its establishment.
- Women’s Sports College (Champawat): Rs 10 crore.
- Competitive Exam Coaching: Rs 5 crore under the Chief Minister Youth Future Building Scheme to help students prepare for NEET, JEE, and CLAT.
- National Games Training: Rs 8 crore for training camps.
Finally, the budget addresses industrial and road connectivity, providing Rs 12 crore for the Mega Industrial Policy subsidy and a combined Rs 61 crore (via PWD and the Rural Development Department) for the maintenance of PMGSY roads.