Chhattisgarh Finance Minister O P Choudhary on Monday presented Rs 1.65 lakh crore Budget for the financial year 2025-26 in State Legislative Assembly. This marks the second Budget of the Vishnu Deo Sai-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Government and was tabled amid loud applause from the treasury benches. Notably, the Budget does not propose any new taxes. Delivering his speech that lasted approximately one hour and forty-two minutes, Choudhary described the budget as the next step in the State’s journey of inclusive development. “This is the Silver Jubilee Budget of State. As a tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, this year is being celebrated as Atal Nirman Varsh,” he said. Building upon the previous year’s GYAN theme (Gareeb, Yuva, Annadata, Nari), this year’s Budget focuses on ‘GYAN ke liye GATI’ to accelerate progress towards the State’s development goals for 2030, under the broader Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

 

The acronym GATI stands for Good Governance, Accelerating Infrastructure, Technology, and Industrial Growth. Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for 2025-26 is projected at Rs 6,35,918 crore, reflecting a 12% growth from Rs 5,67,880 crore in 2024-25. Per capita income is expected to rise by 9.37% to Rs 1,62,870 in FY 2024-25. As per quick estimates for 2024-25, the agriculture sector contributed 17% to the GSDP, the industrial sector 48%, and the service sector 35%. Despite no new taxes, the State’s own revenue is projected to increase by 11% in 2025-26, driven by positive fiscal measures.

 

Capital expenditure is pegged at Rs 26,341 crore, accounting for 16% of the total budget and 4.14% of the GSDP, placing Chhattisgarh among the top states in terms of capex-to-GSDP ratio. A revenue surplus of Rs 2,804 crore is estimated for 2025-26, while the gross fiscal deficit stands at Rs 22,900 crore. After adjusting for Rs 4,000 crore in special assistance from the Centre, the net fiscal deficit is Rs 18,900 crore, or 2.97% of GSDP, staying within the 3% FRBM limit. Acknowledging the challenges faced by small traders, the government has raised the e-Way Bill threshold from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, pending VAT dues over 10 years old, up to Rs 25,000, will be waived, benefiting more than 40,000 traders and resolving over 62,000 litigation cases.

 

The Government has also removed 12% cess on stamp duty related to property transactions. Presenting the budget, the Finance Minister said the government’s efforts aim to drive comprehensive growth, ensuring that Chhattisgarh stays on course towards becoming a model State by 2030 and beyond. Rs 22,356 crore allocated to School Education Deptt The State Budget for the financial year 2025-26 demonstrates a firm commitment to inclusive development, social welfare, and infrastructure expansion. With a strategic emphasis on supporting farmers, boosting rural and urban housing, and improving public welfare schemes, it allocates substantial funds across key sectors. Chhattisgarh government has unveiled its ambitious Budget for the financial year 2025-26, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive development, social welfare, and infrastructure growth. With a strategic focus on uplifting farmers, strengthening rural and urban housing, and enhancing public welfare schemes, the Budget earmarks significant allocations for various sectors.

 

Highest Rs 22,356 crore has been allocated for School Education Department, Rs 18,861 crore to Panchayat Rural and Development Department, Rs 13,506 crore to Agriculture Department, Rs 9501 crore to Public Works Department, Rs 9,440 crore to Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department, Rs 8,380 crore to Home Department, Rs 8,245 crore to Women and Child Development Department, Rs 8040 crore to Public Health and Family Welfare Department, Rs 7,055 crore to Energy Department, Rs 6,044 crore to Urban Administration and Development Department and Rs 5,300 crore to Public Health Engineering Department. Highest 12 per cent budget has been allocated to School Education Department, followed by Panchayat and Rural Development Department (10 %), Agriculture Department (8 %), Public Works Department (5 %), Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Protection Department (5 %), Home Department (5 %), Women and Child Development Department (5 %), Public Health and Family Welfare Department (4 %), Energy Department (4 %), Urban Administration and Development Department (3 %), Public Health Engineering Department (3 %), Water Resources Department (2%), Revenue Department (2%) and Forest Department (2 %). State Finance Minister O P Choudhary emphasised that this comprehensive financial roadmap has been designed to accelerate State’s progress while ensuring equitable benefits for all sections of the society. A major highlight of the Budget is the allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for the Krishak Unnati Yojana, aimed at boosting agricultural prosperity, alongside the allocation of Rs 8,500 crore for Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin) to upgrade rural housing.

 

Welfare schemes such as Mahatari Vandan Yojana and Mukhyamantri Khadyann Sahayata Yojana have also received substantial funding of Rs 5,50 crore and Rs 4,500 crore, respectively, reinforcing the government’s dedication to empowering women and ensuring food security. Additionally, Rs 3,500 crore has been set aside to provide free electricity for agricultural pumps of up to 5 HP, easing the financial burden on farmers. Infrastructure development remains a key priority, with Rs 2000 crore has been allocated for new road construction under the Public Works Department (PWD), marking a first in the state’s history. Rural connectivity will be enhanced with Rs 845 crore sanctioned for village roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), and Rs 500 crore earmarked to connect Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups habitations through the PM-JANMAN Sadak Nirman Yojana. The Budget also highlights the state’s commitment to education, healthcare, and urban development, with significant provisions for new colleges, hospitals and aviation infrastructure, ensuring holistic progress for Chhattisgarh.

Major announcements 
amid no new taxes 
n Mukhyamantri Mobile Tower Scheme to improve connectivity in 
     remote areas.
n Mukhyamantri Parivahan Yojana to enhance public transport services 
     from villages to district headquarters.
n  Formation of 500 new cooperative societies.
n Budget provision for procurement of pulses and oilseeds under the 
     Centre’s PSS scheme.
n Rs 500 crore allocated for Mukhyamantri Nagarotthan Yojana 
     for urban development.
n  Establishment of National Institute of Fashion Technology in the state.
n  Launch of the first phase of Sickle Cell Screening Centres in all blocks.
n  Surveys for interlinking of Mahanadi-Indravati and Sikasar-Kodar rivers.
n  Plans to set up Medi City, Education City, and National Institute of Urban 
     Management in Nava Raipur.
n  Promotion of UPI-based digital payments across all Gram Panchayats.
n  Formation of a Special Operation Group similar to the NSG for high-level 
     security.
n Rs 200 crore earmarked for developing iconic tourism destinations, 
     wellness, wildlife, and water-based tourism at Naya Raipur.
n Surveys and setups for the Raipur-Durg Metro line and State Capital 
     Region Office.
n  Patrakar Samman Nidhi doubled from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.
n  Subsidized land allotment for the Chamber of Commerce office in Nava 
     Raipur.
n  Social audit of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) works.
n  Incentives linked to departmental reforms based on a competitive index.
n Budgetary support for digitization of land records and digital
     crop surveys.

 ‘A monumental step towards CG’s progress’ Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai lauded the 2025-26 State Budget as a monumental step towards Chhattisgarh’s progress. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister declared it a ‘historic day for the State as Finance Minister O P Choudhary tabled a budget aimed at steering Chhattisgarh towards unprecedented development and prosperity.

 

Describing the Budget as a blueprint for Chhattisgarh’s golden future, Sai highlighted its comprehensive vision for growth and inclusivity. He emphasised that the 2024-25 Budget, themed ‘GYAN’ — an acronym for Gareeb (poor), Yuva (youth), Annadata (farmers), and Nari (women)—focused on advancing these key groups. He stated that over the past year, the government had worked diligently and honestly to fulfill the promises made in the previous Budget, earning the trust and support of the people. The Chief Minister credited the BJP’s electoral victories in urban body elections, panchayat polls, and the Raipur South constituency by-election to the faith that citizens had placed in the Government’s work and ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’. This year’s Budget builds on that trust with a new focus, encapsulated in the theme ‘GATI’.