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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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
