Chhattisgarh finance minister OP Choudhary presents ₹1,72,000 crore budget

The budget projected the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at ₹7,09,553 crore for 2026–27, reflecting a 12.4% growth

Published on: Feb 24, 2026, 16:35:42 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Chhattisgarh finance minister OP Choudhary on Tuesday presented a ₹1,72,000 crore budget for the financial year 2026–27, compared to ₹1,65,000 crore in the last fiscal, saying it aims to accelerate growth. He said the budget reflects the resolve to ensure balanced regional development, strengthen infrastructure, expand livelihood opportunities, and prepare a future-ready workforce.

Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the budget is designed to ensure that development reaches weaker sections. (Sourced)

Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said the budget is designed to ensure that development reaches farmers, women, youth, Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other weaker sections, while maintaining fiscal discipline.

The budget projected the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) at ₹7,09,553 crore for 2026–27, reflecting a 12.4% growth over the previous year’s estimate of ₹6,31,290 crore. Total receipts and expenditure are estimated at ₹1,72,000 crore. Revenue expenditure is pegged at ₹1,45,000 crore. The fiscal deficit is estimated at ₹20,400 crore, or 2.87% of GSDP. The state has projected a revenue deficit of ₹2,000 crore for the year.

Major allocations include ₹6,700 crore for energy subsidies, including free electricity for agricultural pumps up to 5 HP and relief for domestic consumers. ₹4,000 crore has been earmarked for the rural housing scheme Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and ₹720 crore for PM Janman Yojana for the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

School education was allocated ₹22,380 crore, panchayat and rural development ₹16,560 crore, agriculture ₹13,507 crore, and health and medical education ₹8,050 crore.

The budget introduced AI Mission, Sports Excellence Mission, Tourism Development Mission, Infrastructure Mission, and Startup and NIPUN Mission with a commitment to allocate at least ₹100 crore annually to each over the next five years.

Choudhary noted that the budget has grown 35 times from ₹4,944 crore when Chhattisgarh was granted statehood in 2000. He described the 2026–27 budget as an effort to align economic expansion with social justice and regional balance.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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