Lucknow, Feb 11 (NationPress) The Finance Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Suresh Khanna, unveiled a budget of Rs 9,12,696.35 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27 in the Assembly, marking an approximate 12.9 percent increase compared to the last year.

The budget encompasses new initiatives totaling Rs 43,565.33 crore.

The government is prioritizing capital expenditure, maintaining fiscal discipline, enhancing law and order, and advancing health and medical infrastructure.

Capital spending is expected to account for 19.5 percent of the overall budget. The education sector has received 12.4 percent, while medical and health services have been allocated 6 percent, and agriculture and related sectors have been designated 9 percent.

As per the recommendations of the 16th Central Finance Commission, the fiscal deficit for 2026-27 is set at 3 percent of GSDP, a figure that will remain until 2030-31.

Khanna highlighted the government's dedication to responsible financial management. The state’s debt-to-GSDP ratio, which was 29.3 percent in 2016-17, decreased to 27.9 percent in 2019-20. It rose to 33.4 percent in 2021-22 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but has been restored to below 27 percent in 2024-25. The aim is to lower it further to 23.1 percent in 2026-27 and below 20 percent in the medium term.

Significant allocations have been made to bolster police infrastructure.

Since 2016, incidents of robbery, loot, murder, riots, and kidnapping for ransom have reportedly decreased by 89 percent, 85 percent, 47 percent, 70 percent, and 62 percent, respectively. There has also been a reduction in crimes against women and atrocities against the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The budget allocates Rs 1,374 crore for the construction of non-residential police facilities and Rs 1,243 crore for residential accommodations. Furthermore, Rs 346 crore has been reserved for infrastructure in newly established districts, Rs 200 crore for fire stations, and Rs 190 crore for enhancing firefighting systems in multi-storey buildings. Under Mission Shakti, Rs 25 crore has been allocated for vehicles for female beat officers.

A total of Rs 14,997 crore is set aside for medical education. Currently, Uttar Pradesh has 81 medical colleges -- 45 government and 36 private. New medical colleges will be established in 16 underdeveloped districts through the public-private partnership (PPP) model.

The number of MBBS seats has escalated from 4,540 in 2017 to 12,800, while postgraduate seats have increased from 1,221 to 4,995. An allocation of Rs 1,023 crore has been proposed for 14 new medical colleges.

The Medical, Health and Family Welfare Department has been allocated Rs 37,956 crore, reflecting a 15 percent increase over the previous year. Rs 8,641 crore has been designated for the National Rural Health Mission and Rs 2,000 crore for the Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Mission. Approximately 49.22 lakh families are benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat - Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana.

Moreover, Rs 315 crore has been earmarked for the Cancer Institute in Lucknow and Rs 130 crore for free treatment of incurable diseases. The National Mental Health Programme is operational across all 75 districts, and infectious diseases are monitored through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Portal.

The state’s GSDP for 2024-25 (Quick Estimates) is expected to reach Rs 30.25 lakh crore, indicating a 13.4 percent growth from the previous year. Per capita income has surged from Rs 54,564 in 2016-17 to Rs 1,09,844, with an estimate to reach Rs 1,20,000 in 2025-26.

The government claims that nearly six crore people have been lifted out of poverty, while the unemployment rate has dropped to 2.24 percent. The state’s per capita income is projected to rise to Rs 1,20,000 in 25-26. Uttar Pradesh’s ranking in the SDG India Index has improved from 29th in 2018-19 to 18th in 2023-24.

The state recently hosted its fourth Global Investors Summit in February 2024, finalizing MoUs worth nearly Rs 50 lakh crore with the potential to create around 10 lakh jobs. Groundbreaking ceremonies have been held for over 16,000 projects involving investments of about Rs 15 lakh crore.

Uttar Pradesh is responsible for 65 percent of India’s mobile phone production and houses 55 percent of the nation’s electronic component units. Electronics exports have reached Rs 44,744 crore. The state has achieved “Leader Category” status in national startup rankings and secured the top position among landlocked states in the Export Preparedness Index 2024 released by NITI Aayog.

To accelerate technology-driven growth, the government has initiated a New and Emerging Technologies Mission, along with the establishment of a data authority and eight data center parks with a total capacity of 900 MW. An AI Mission and the “Tech Yuva Samarth Yuva Yojana” will be launched to provide training and opportunities for youth in emerging technologies.

The state leads the nation in the production of wheat, paddy, sugarcane, potato, and various horticultural crops. Agricultural export hubs will be established to increase farmers’ income and connect them with global markets.

The irrigated area has seen significant growth, and crop intensity has advanced from 162.7 percent in 2016-17 to 193.7 percent in 2024-25. Thermal power generation capacity has surged by over 55 percent to 9,120 MW in 2025-26 (as of December), while 2,815 MW of solar capacity has been installed.

To foster industrial development, Rs 575 crore has been earmarked for the new Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Employment and Industrial Zone scheme. The Chief Minister Youth Self-Employment Scheme will also be launched. Skill development centers will be expanded under the PPP model, with special centers for women.