Gandhinagar, Feb 19 (NationPress) The Gujarat government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore in this year’s state budget to execute region-focused economic master plans for six distinct areas of the state, as stated by Minister of State for Higher and Technical Education Trikam Chhanga on Thursday.

This initiative aims to facilitate “holistic and balanced development” tailored to local requirements.

In response to the budget, Chhanga noted that Economic Master Plans have been devised for Kutch, South Gujarat, Central Gujarat, North Gujarat, Saurashtra, and the coastal region of Saurashtra.

“Projects have been formulated based on the unique requirements of each area, aimed at boosting economic activities, creating jobs, and attracting investments. A budgetary provision of Rs 2,000 crore has been earmarked for these initiatives,” he remarked.

Furthermore, Chhanga highlighted that the budget for 2026-27 records a historic allocation exceeding Rs 63,000 crore for education, emphasizing the vital role of education in development.

Specific allocations for Kutch include Rs 230 crore dedicated to improvements on the Dudhai Sub-Branch Canal. An additional Rs 97 crore has been set aside for eradicating gando baval (prosopis juliflora) across Kutch and other forested areas, alongside initiatives for bamboo plantation and grassland restoration in the Banni grasslands.

There is also a provision to support milk producer cooperative unions in Kutch and Saurashtra to enhance their infrastructure.

Additionally, Rs 28 crore has been allocated for 10 Community Health Centres in Kutch, Valsad, Dang, Narmada, and Chhota Udepur districts.

Discussing educational initiatives, Chhanga announced Rs 400 crore under the Chief Minister Yuva Swavalamban Yojana to aid over 90,000 students.

“We will be establishing 16 new government colleges, undertaking construction in 20 existing colleges, and adding new streams in eight current colleges,” he mentioned regarding the Rs 126 crore allocation. Furthermore, Rs 96 crore has been allocated for sports facilities in government colleges and universities.

He also noted that Rs 80 crore has been reserved for the i-Hub in Ahmedabad and its four regional centres, Rs 67 crore for physical and IT infrastructure in government technical institutions, and Rs 51 crore each for two new boys’ hostel blocks and a research park at L.D. College of Engineering in Ahmedabad.

In a separate discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address in the Assembly, Education Minister Pradyuman Vaja remarked that the government is committed to a vision of 'development for all'.

He announced that the annual income threshold for post-matric scholarships for Scheduled Tribe and Scheduled Caste students has been raised from Rs 2.50 lakh to Rs six lakh, alongside a relief package of over Rs 11,000 crore for farmers impacted by floods and unseasonal rainfall.