PNS | DEHRADUN
The Uttarakhand Finance minister Prem Chand Agarwal said that the Union budget 2025-26 has saved the State crores of rupees this year.
Addressing a Press conference here on Tuesday, he said that Central assistance plays a crucial role in the State’s revenue, primarily through three sources- its share in Central taxes, grants from the 15th Finance Commission and funds under Centrally sponsored schemes like the National Health Mission, National AYUSH Mission, and Swachchh Bharat Mission. He said that according to revised estimates for this financial year, Uttarakhand’s share in Central taxes has increased to Rs 14,384 crore from the originally budgeted Rs 13,943 crore, providing an additional Rs 440 crore. For the next financial year, the State’s share is expected to rise to Rs 15,902 crore, which is Rs 1,518 crore more than the current revised estimate, as per Agarwal.
He said that significant growth has also been recorded in grants under the 15th Finance Commission compared to the revised estimates for the current year. The allocation for the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) has been raised to Rs 21,575 crore, an increase of Rs 1,025 crore from the previous estimate of Rs 20,550 crore. Similarly, grants for urban local bodies have been increased to Rs 26,158 crore from the earlier amount of Rs 21,000 crore. Rural local body grants have also seen a rise, reaching Rs 48,573 crore, which is Rs 3,573 crore more than the previous allocation of Rs 45,000 crore.
Agarwal said that the health sector has received a substantial boost, with its grant increasing to Rs 15,272 crore, marking a Rs 5,047 crore rise from Rs 10,225 crore. He said that to further support capital development in states, the Union budget has made provisions for Rs 1.5 lakh crore in interest-free loans, which is Rs 25,000 crore higher than last year’s amount of Rs 1.25 lakh crore. Agarwal said that this scheme has significantly benefited Uttarakhand over the past two years, with the State receiving Rs 1,124 crore in 2022-23 and around Rs 1,911 crore in 2023-24. This year, the State expects to receive around Rs 2,000 crore, with hopes for an even larger allocation in the coming year. He said that other key announcements include the expansion of the UDAN scheme to 125 cities, enhancing Uttarakhand’s connectivity. Cancer centres will be established in all districts within three years and cancer drug prices will be reduced. The transformation of India Post into a logistics giant is also expected to boost economic activity in remote areas. The MSME credit guarantee cover has also been raised to Rs 10 crore. Agarwal called the budget a strong step toward inclusive growth and economic expansion, aligning with India’s vision for 2047.
Responding to queries regarding the upcoming budget session in the State, Agarwal said, “Uttarakhand’s budget will also prioritise the poor, youth, farmers and women like the central government. All preparations will be completed by mid-February.”
