Raipur, February 24 Chhattisgarh Finance Minister OP Choudhary presented the annual budget of Rs 1.72 lakh crore for the financial year 2026-27 in the state assembly on Tuesday, stating that it is focused on inclusive growth, accelerating infrastructure development, and boosting investment.
The government will launch the Rani Durgavati Scheme, under which girls will receive Rs 1.5 lakh upon reaching the age of 18, he said.
The budget has allocated Rs 2,024 crore for the construction of the Matnar and Deurgaon dams on the Indravati river in Bastar, which was once a stronghold of Naxalites.
The budget has allocated Rs 9,450 crore for the Public Works Department and Rs 3,500 crore for the Water Resources Department.
Choudhary said that Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the construction of 'Education Cities' in Abujhmad and Jagargunda in the Bastar region.
An allocation of Rs 50 crore has been made for opening new medical colleges in Kunkuri, Manendragarh, and Dantewada.
To promote sports and culture, Rs 10 crore has been allocated for the Bastar and Surguja Olympics, the minister said.
Digital connectivity in remote areas will be strengthened with Rs 5 crore approved for the Bastar Net project, he added.
This is the third budget of the Vishnu Deo Sai government.
The first budget of the government was based on the theme 'GYAN' (Poor, Youth, Food, Women), while last year it focused on 'GATI' (Good Governance, Accelerating Infrastructure, Technology, and Industrial Growth).
This year's budget is centered on 'SANKALP' – Comprehensive Development, Infrastructure, Investment, Human Resources, Welfare, Livelihoods, and Policy Implementation – aimed at accelerating the state's development journey, Choudhary said.
The budget also includes a provision of Rs 250 crore to set up 23 new industrial parks to boost investment and employment generation.
Besides, Rs 5 crore has been allocated for tourism development at Mainpat in Surguja, while air services will be expanded in Jagdalpur and Ambikapur, Choudhary said.
