Chhattisgarh Assembly passes Rs 1.87 lakh crore budget for 2026-27

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh legislative assembly on Wednesday passed the budget for financial year 2026-27 with a total appropriation of Rs 1.87 lakh crore.

Replying to the debate on the 'Chhattisgarh Appropriation Bill, 2026,' Finance Minister O P Choudhary said the budget has been designed keeping in mind the aspirations of the state's three crore citizens.

It aims to promote inclusive growth and economic strength, and ensure that government schemes reach the last person in society, he said.

The budget aims to transform Chhattisgarh into a developed state by 2047, he added.

The total allocation stands at Rs 1.87 lakh crore, including loan repayments and adjustments, while the net budget size is Rs 1.72 lakh crore, said the finance minister.

The budget is structured around seven key pillars of "SANKALP" (Samaveshi Vikas, Adhosanrachna, Nivesh, Kushal Manav Sansadhan, Antyoday, Livelihood and Policy se Parinam tak).

To drive this vision, the government has announced five new Chief Minister missions with a combined outlay of Rs 500 crore, the minister said.

These include allocations for AI development, sports excellence, tourism development, infrastructure expansion, and startup and skill development initiatives, he said.

Highlighting economic performance, Choudhary noted that Chhattisgarh recorded a growth rate of 8.11 percent in 2025-26, surpassing the national average of 7.4 percent.

Agriculture and farmer welfare have been given top priority in the budget, with Rs 10,000 crore allocated to the 'Krishak Unnati Yojana', the largest component of the budget. The state government has been procuring paddy at Rs 3,100 per quintal, boosting rural income and the local economy, he said.

On women's empowerment, the minister said nearly 70 lakh women have been receiving Rs 1,000 per month under the 'Mahtari Vandan Yojana', for which Rs 8,200 crore has been earmarked. The government has also declared 2026 as "Mahtari Gaurav Year" to prioritize women's dignity, safety, and self-reliance, he said.

Earlier, taking part in the discussion, Leader of Opposition Charan Das Mahant alleged irregularities in paddy procurement, illegal plotting of land, and failure to maintain law and order.

Mahant also raised concerns over unemployment, and said the youth sitting at home have nothing but despair. They have nothing to look forward to other than enduring the scolding of their parents. Sometimes they consume 'bhang', sometimes they smoke 'ganja', he said.

He also targeted the BJP government over cases of illegal opium cultivation that came to light in the state recently.

The Congress leader claimed that 'ganja' cultivation is taking place in Chief Minister's Vishnu Deo Sai's own district.

"It is happening in Ambikapur, and it is happening right here in our Korba. Why are these activities not being investigated? Why are the perpetrators not being apprehended?" he asked.

Mahant also alleged that the biodiversity-rich Hasdeo forest region is being destroyed for coal mines.

After the discussion, the budget was passed by the House.