Gujarat Budget 2015-16 – Highlightment of Gujarat State Budget 2015-16

Gujarat State Finance Minister Saurabh Patel presented annual budget for Gujarat state for the year 2015-16 on 24 February 2015. This is the first annual budget presented by the Gujarat Government led by Smt Anandiben Patel.

The budget, presented by state Finance Minister Saurabh Patel in the Legislative Assembly, has an overall surplus of Rs 125 crore and revenue surplus of Rs 7,308 crore, while the state has imposed new taxes to the tune of Rs 80 crore.

The budget, presented by state Finance Minister Saurabh Patel in the Parliamentary Assembly, has an overall surplus of Rs 125 crore and revenue surplus of Rs 7,308 crore, while the state has imposed new taxes to the tune of Rs 80 crore.

Highlightment of Gujarat State Budget 2015-16 :

the starting of ten new colleges in talukas not having a single college and establishment of new universities in Saurashtra and another in tribal areas in the eastern belt of the state.

The budget allocations focused on social sector, with about 56 per cent of the total Rs. 96,944 crore of developmental spend being allocated to it, followed by infrastructure sector with 46 per cent.

Tax relief to the tune of Rs. 20 crore including reduction of VAT on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from 30 per cent to five per cent for cities other than Ahmedabad and Vadodara

To set up a joint-sector company with Central government to set up regional rail connectivity in the state, Rs 10 Cr has been allocated.

Rs. 10 Cr allocation for formation of the Island Development Authority to explore tourism and security potential of the islands along the Gujarat coastline.

By allocating Rs. 1,100 crore in the annual budget, the state is also planning to set up 200,000 affordable houses in a year under the Mukhyamantri Gruh Yojana.

Rs 9000 crore for the Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam project.

Rs 2238.74 crore for rural development

 Rs 13937.19 crore for irrigation and flood control

 Rs 6630.02 crore for energy sector

 Rs 2766.68 crore industry & mines sector

Rs 38484.15 crore for social sector

Rs 1128.50 crore for development of five new medical colleges at Vadnagar, Junagadh and Himatnagar under Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society and up-gradation of hospitals at Palanpur and Nadiad

Rs 15 crore have also been allocated for Transplantation and allied Science University

Rs 562 crore for the micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME)