Gujarat Achieves 7.4% Economic Growth, Exceeding National Average
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Gandhinagar, Feb 24 (NationPress) Gujarat has achieved an impressive economic growth rate of 7.4 percent, exceeding the national average of 6.5 percent, as reported by the state's Finance Department. This report also highlights the government's fiscal status and expenditure plans for the fiscal year 2026-27.
Data indicates that over a span of 13 years, from 2012-13 to 2024-25, Gujarat has maintained an average real economic growth rate of 8.3 percent.
The government credits this success to its commitment to fiscal discipline, strategic long-term planning, and a consistent focus on development spending.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, the state administration has been dedicated to accelerating overall development and implementing welfare schemes, as noted in the official statement.
The financial management practices align with the statutory requirements of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act.
According to the FRBM Act, public debt should be capped at 27.10 percent of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). In compliance with this guideline, the Gujarat government aims to limit public debt to 14.65 percent of GSDP for the fiscal year 2026-27.
The statement emphasized that the state's borrowing plays a crucial role in financing developmental projects and capital expenditures that serve the public interest.
In the budget for 2026–27, presented by Finance Minister Kanu Desai, the total budget allocation exceeds Rs four lakh crore, with more than Rs 2.62 lakh crore—over 65 percent of the total—designated for development-focused expenditures aimed at enhancing public welfare.
The government has consistently prioritized development expenditure over the past five years.
The statement also highlighted the financial assistance received from the central government during times of natural disasters.
In the last five years, Gujarat has received more than Rs 8,151 crore from various funds, including Rs 5,852.8 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), Rs 1,141.40 crore from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF), Rs 1,076.23 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), and Rs 80.88 crore from the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF).
The government concluded that the combination of above-average growth, controlled debt ratios, and consistent development expenditure reflects its effective fiscal management approach.