Dehradun, 20 February (IANS). Uttarakhand Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal presented a budget of Rs 1 lakh 1034 crore for FY 2025-26 in the Assembly. He described it as a future roadmap and described it based on “Namo” (NAMO). It has innovation from ‘N’, self -reliance from ‘A’, great heritage from ‘M’ and Ojaswita from ‘O’. In this budget, special attention has been paid to seven major areas like agriculture, industry, energy, infrastructure, valency, tourism and AYUSH to speed up the development of the state. In the budget, Rs 100 crore has been allocated for Tehri Lake Project and Rs 30 crore for the Uniform Civil Code.
To promote hydropower generation in the state, Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) has targeted to complete three projects of Battery Energy Scheme by March 2026. The Finance Minister said that another important step in the field of energy has been taken under the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, in which 13,168 roof top solar plants of 47 MW capacity have been set up so far.
Finance Minister Premchand Aggarwal said in the House that to strengthen transport and infrastructure, the government has planned to construct four lane elevated roads on Rispana and Bindal rivers in Dehradun. Apart from this, the government is also working seriously on the Dehradun Ring Road project. Important provisions have also been made in the sector of irrigation and water resources in the state, including Rs 625 crore for Jamrani Dam Project, Rs 75 crore for Song Project and Rs 285 crore for Lakhwar project. An amount of Rs 60 crore has been allocated for development development in scheduled caste dominated areas.
To strengthen road and air service infrastructure, a target is to construct 220 km of new roads and reconstruction of 1,000 km of roads. Along with this, renovation of 1,550 km of roads and security works will be done on 1,200 km of roads. In the year 2025-26, a target has also been set to construct 37 new bridges.
To promote employment in rural areas, a provision of Rs 146 crore has been made under the Trout Promotion Scheme of the Department of Fisheries. Apart from this, a consultation service of Rs 168.33 crore will be provided to the Uttarakhand Industrial Development and Investment Board (UIIDB) for the development of Haridwar and Rishikesh. A budget of Rs 20 crore has been set for the Startup Venture Fund to encourage innovation in the state. A allocation of Rs 1 crore has been made for the migrant Uttarakhand Parishad, which plans to connect the migrant Uttarakhandis with the state.
A provision of Rs 10 crore has been made for the River Front Development Project (Sharda Corridor) for environment and water resources conservation. An amount of Rs 6.5 crore has been allocated for the operation of electric buses under the Smart City Project for improvement of urban transport. Apart from this, a provision of Rs 1 crore has been made for Home Guard Welfare Fund and Rs 5 crore to Silk Federation as a revolving fund.
The government has set a budget of a solar crore rupees for expansion of tourism. 100 crore rupees have been allocated for the overall development of Tehri Lake, which will be developed as a major tourist center. An amount of Rs 25 crore has been fixed under the Manas Khand Mala Mission. A provision of Rs 10 crore has also been made for the development of new tourist places and Rs 10 crore for basic facilities on Chardham route.
The government has also made several important announcements in the field of AYUSH. The plan to establish the Directorate of Yoga in the state is under consideration. A provision of Rs 7 crore has been made for organizing the Kandar fair and Rs 10 crore for preparations for Ardh Kumbh. The Himalayan Museum will be established in Rishikesh with the aim of promoting religious tourism and culture.
Uttarakhand Venture Fund will be set up at a cost of Rs 200 crore to encourage innovation and startups in the state. An amount of Rs 4 crore has been fixed under the Millet Mission to encourage farmers and strengthen the agricultural sector of the state. Keeping in mind nutrition and child development in the state, 3,940 new Anganwadi centers will be established, which will promote child nutrition and education in rural and remote areas.
The government is preparing to bring a new housing policy to improve the housing sector. A provision of Rs 30 crore has been made to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state. This law is considered an important step towards the citizens of the state to prepare a uniform legal framework.
-IANS
PSM/KR
