Mizoram CM Lalduhoma Presents Budget for 2025-26
Mizoram CM Lalduhoma Presents Budget for 2025-26
Digital Desk: Chief Minister Lalduhoma, who also serves as Finance Minister, presented the Mizoram Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26 today at the ongoing Mizoram Legislative Assembly Session.
The budget predicts a total outlay of ₹15,198.76 crore and a fiscal deficit of ₹1,651.68 crore, which accounts for 4.57% of the GSDP.
The budget focuses on youth empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure development, and social welfare.
Key goals include launching the Mizoram Universal Healthcare Scheme in April 2025, increasing pensions under the National Social Assistance Programme, and allocating ₹350 crore to the government's flagship program, the Handholding Scheme (Bana Kaih), to help farmers and businesspeople.
The Chief Minister emphasized the government's commitment to financial openness and economic reforms, despite the obstacles faced by a rising debt-to-GDP ratio of 38.79%.
The budget anticipates a GSDP of ₹36,088.82 crore, representing a 10.21% growth rate compared to the previous year's estimates using a more realistic computation approach. The fiscal deficit has increased to ₹1,651.68 crore, representing 4.57% of the GSDP, due to increased borrowing and lower government allocations.
The state's revenue is estimated at ₹2,616.33 crore, primarily from GST collections, power tariffs, and the recently implemented petroleum product cess.
Social welfare remains a top emphasis, with large increases in pensions under the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGWPS), and Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS).
The Handholding Scheme (Bana Kaih) received ₹350 crore to help farmers and businesspeople. The government has cleared 80% of pending healthcare bills and granted ₹50 crore for the Mizoram Universal Healthcare Scheme, which will commence in April 2025.
Capital expenditure increased by 8.29%, with ₹2,658.56 crore allocated for infrastructure projects like road improvements, electricity renovations, and women's hostels.
However, the state's debt-to-GDP ratio has risen to 38.79 percent, prompting concerns about fiscal sustainability.
