Union Minister Pankaj Chaudhary Details Viksit Bharat 2047 Vision in Budget 2026-27
Union Minister of State for Finance and Uttar Pradesh BJP President Pankaj Chaudhary declared on Wednesday that the Union Budget 2026-27 establishes a definitive roadmap for achieving a 'Viksit Bharat 2047', with a strong emphasis on youth empowerment and inclusive development.
Budget Focuses on Jobs and Innovation Beyond Numbers
Addressing a 'Budget Par Samvad' program organized by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha at the Yogiraj Baba Gambhir Nath auditorium in Gorakhpur, Chaudhary asserted that the budget transcends mere fiscal figures. He highlighted its core focus on generating employment, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusive growth across all sectors of the economy.
Massive Infrastructure Expansion and Job Creation Initiatives
Chaudhary underscored a dramatic increase in infrastructure investment, noting a surge from Rs 2 lakh crore in the 2014-15 fiscal year to an impressive Rs 12.2 lakh crore in the current year. He detailed several key projects designed to act as job multipliers:
- Seven proposed high-speed rail corridors, including major routes such as Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Siliguri.
- Development of dedicated freight corridors to enhance logistics efficiency.
- Creation of 20 new waterways to boost inland water transport.
- Establishment of city economic regions in tier-two and tier-three towns to decentralize economic growth.
- Development of five major tourist destinations to promote tourism and related employment.
Defence Boost and Manufacturing Push Post-Operation Sindoor
Referring to the budget as the first following Operation Sindoor, Chaudhary announced a 15% increase in defence allocation, raising it to Rs 7.85 lakh crore. He emphasized the government's commitment to strengthening manufacturing through various initiatives:
- Expansion of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes.
- Advancement of the semiconductor mission to boost electronics manufacturing.
- Provision of electronic manufacturing incentives.
- Enhanced support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), including a dedicated Rs 10,000 crore SME Growth Fund.
Empowering Youth Through Skilling and Startup Promotion
Chaudhary stressed that skilling programs, startup promotion initiatives, and the introduction of content labs in schools and colleges are pivotal strategies to empower India's vast working-age population. These measures aim to equip the youth with the necessary tools for future economic participation and innovation.
Uttar Pradesh's Economic Growth Highlighted
In his address, Chaudhary also referenced Uttar Pradesh's own budget of Rs 9.12 lakh crore, claiming that the state's economy and exports have witnessed substantial growth in recent years. This aligns with the broader national vision of regional development contributing to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.
The Union Budget 2026-27, as outlined by Chaudhary, represents a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, with a clear focus on infrastructure, manufacturing, defence, and youth-centric policies.
