The Uttarakhand government has prepared a comprehensive budget for the upcoming financial year 2025-26, the estimated size of which is likely to be ₹1 lakh crore. This budget will be presented in the assembly session starting from February 18, 2025, and it is planned to be passed by February 24, 2025.

Key Announcements and Budget Highlights

1. Budget Size and Financial Position

- Total expenditure for 2024-25 is estimated at ₹70,094 crore, which is 12.8% higher than the previous year.

- Revenue Surplus is likely to be ₹4,737 crore, which will be 1.2% of GSDP. - Fiscal Deficit is estimated at ₹9,416 crore, which will be 2.4% of GSDP.

2. Social Schemes and Welfare Measures

- Special schemes for youth and women:

- New stadiums and auditoriums will be built to promote sports activities.

- Innovation and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be promoted in marginal areas.

- Agriculture and Rural Development:

- New schemes will be brought to provide loans to farmers at affordable rates.

- Grants will be increased to increase agricultural production and encourage organic farming.

- Health and Education:

- New medical colleges and hospitals will be established.

- Smart classrooms will be developed to promote digital education.

3. Infrastructure and Development Projects

- New Townships and Urban Development:

- There is a plan to develop new townships in major cities of the state. - New metro and bus schemes are being considered to strengthen the public transport system.
- Promotion of tourism:
- New schemes will be implemented for religious places and adventure tourism in the state.
- Transport and lodging systems will be improved to increase the convenience of tourists.

4. Economic condition and growth rate of the state
- Uttarakhand's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is growing at a rate of 7.6%, which is equal to the national growth rate.
- The agriculture sector has registered a growth of 1.6%, while the manufacturing sector remains strong with a growth of 9.2%.
- Per capita GSDP is estimated at ₹2,95,751, which shows an annual growth of 7% compared to 2017-18.

5. Tax and financial policies
- Increase in GST and VAT has been recorded to strengthen the financial position of the state.
- Plans are being made to raise more revenue from mining, forest department, and other corporations.
- Policies will be decided after the budget 2025 of the central government, so that Uttarakhand can get the benefit of central schemes.