UP Budget 2026-27: Rs 43,565 crore earmarked for new schemes
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh government has made provisions for a host of new initiatives across sectors, with an outlay of over Rs 43,565 crore in the Budget for the financial year 2026-27 presented in the Assembly on Wednesday.
Presenting the Budget in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Finance Minister Suresh Khanna detailed several proposed schemes, including the launch of the 'Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Employment and Industrial Zone' to promote micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), for which Rs 575 crore has been earmarked.
A new 'One District One Cuisine' (ODOC) scheme has been proposed with a provision of Rs 75 crore, while Rs 7.50 crore has been allocated for the modernisation of the blanket production centre at Khajni in Gorakhpur.
Under the Chief Minister Urban Expansion and New City Promotion Scheme, Rs 3,500 crore has been proposed. New housing schemes will be launched in Meerut after 35 years, in Agra after 33 years, in Lucknow after 22 years, and for the first time in Bulandshahr, he said in his over an hour-long budget speech.
Khanna said Rs 23 crore has been proposed for setting up a new dairy plant in Mathura. A provision of Rs 100 crore has been made for a new scheme to establish a state-of-the-art fish wholesale market, an integrated aqua park and a fish processing centre.
In the cooperative sector, Rs 25 crore has been proposed for construction of new warehouses under the world's largest foodgrain storage scheme, he said.
The budget also proposes Rs 580 crore for a new scheme to establish residential girls' schools in development blocks where Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas are not operational. A provision of around Rs 358 crore has been made to extend cashless medical facilities to teachers, non-teaching staff and contractual or honorarium-based employees of council schools.
Under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, Rs 300 crore has been proposed from the state fund to develop all primary schools into smart schools. Additionally, Rs 300 crore has been earmarked for the maintenance of aided non-government schools found substandard in security audits.
The minister said Rs 89 crore has been proposed for providing cashless medical facilities to teachers working in aided secondary schools.
Among higher education initiatives, Rs 21 crore each has been allocated for the establishment of Swami Shukdevanand University in Shahjahanpur and Kashi Naresh University in Bhadohi.
A provision of Rs 14.50 crore has also been made for implementing a student mental health and welfare policy in higher educational institutions across the state, he added.
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Karnataka govt orders probe into alleged NMDC iron ore smuggling
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday ordered an investigation into the alleged illegal transportation of iron ore linked to the centrally-owned NMDC and directed officials to submit a report within seven days.
Khandre instructed the department’s Additional Chief Secretary and the Head of the Forest Force to constitute a three-member inquiry committee headed by an Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests to investigate the matter and furnish its findings within a week.
“I have ordered an investigation into the alleged illegal transportation of iron ore from the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and directed that a report be submitted,” the minister said in a statement.
Clarifying the scope of the inquiry, Khandre said the team has been asked to ascertain whether iron ore was illegally transported from forest areas and whether any rules were violated in the process.
He also cited media reports quoting the district Superintendent of Police as stating that around 2,500 tonnes of iron ore had been seized based on information provided by the accused lorry driver.
The minister emphasised that the probe would examine all aspects of the case and determine if there had been any breach of forest and environmental regulations.
