Even as Gujarat budget for 2025-26 will be presented in the state assembly on Thursday, Gujarat Vaicharik Andolan, a group of like-minded citizens, has come out with an alternative budget that aims to address key issues faced by the state.
Former Gujarat chief minister Suresh Mehta, who is part of the Andolan, told media persons in Ahmedabad on Monday that perhaps it is for the first time that such an alternative budget has been presented. The Group sent a copy of the proposed budget and the observations to Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel on January 30. A copy was also sent to state finance minister Kanubhai Desai.
Mehta told Vibes of India that he had requested time from the chief minister and the finance minister to discuss the matter, but the group hasn’t heard from either of them. Replying to a question, he said they have suggested budgetary changes in 13 sectors and these changes will make only one per cent difference and the same time the intent of addressing the needs of the society in the right manner will also be taken care of.
Mahesh Pandya, one of the group members, pointed out that the state government has a budgetary allocation of Rs 8 per day for children below weight and Rs 12 for undernourished children. This, he said, is laughable as at several places even a banana costs more than Rs 8.
The alternative budget was prepared after consultation with representatives of the civic society.
The growth rate needs to be sustainable, Mehta said, pointing out that today’s Gujarat is away from the reality and it is time to get alert. The former chief minister observed that Gujarat has a debt of Rs 4 lakh crore till date.
Based on the manner in which the budget is presented year on year, the Andolan has suggested increase in the budget of seven sectors and a decrease in the budget of six sectors.
In Women and Child Development, the Andolan has proposed a budget of Rs 13385 crore as against the budget estimate of Rs 6885 crore in 2024-25. Pandya said that this year, the projected budget from the state government could be Rs 7527 crore, based on the manner the budget increases. As against 2024-25, this year an increase of over Rs 9000 crore has been suggested in Health and Family Welfare.
The Andolan has suggested a drastic decrease in the budget of the Climate Change department. Pandya, also an environment activist, said that they have proposed Rs 80 crore whereas in 2024-25 it was Rs 1163 crore and this is from the state government it could be Rs 1272 crore. A decrease has been also suggested in the budget for Industries and Mines. An allocation of Rs 5453 crore has been suggested as against Rs 9228 crore of 2024-25. From the state government, the estimate is likely to be 10089 crore, the group members said.
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