Argus News - Dharmendra Pradhan Calls Union Budget 2026–27 Youth-Centric, Growth-Oriented

Bhubaneswar, Feb 7: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday described the Union Budget 2026–27 as “youth‑centric” and a “robust foundation for a developed India.” Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, he said the Budget reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of inclusive growth through “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.”

ଭୁବନେଶ୍ୱର ଠାରେ ଆମ ଦଳ ତରଫରୁ ଆୟୋଜିତ 'କେନ୍ଦ୍ରୀୟ ବଜେଟ୍ ୨୦୨୬-୨୭' ଉପରେ ସାମ୍ବାଦିକ ସମ୍ମିଳନୀରେ ଯୋଗଦେଲି । ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଙ୍କ 'ସବକା ସାଥ୍, ସବକା ବିକାଶ, ସବକା ବିଶ୍ୱାସ ଏବଂ ସବକା ପ୍ରୟାସ'ର ମନ୍ତ୍ରକୁ ଏହି ବଜେଟରେ ପ୍ରତିଫଳିତ କରାଯାଇଛି । ଏହି ବଜେଟ୍ ସମାଜର ସବୁ ବର୍ଗର ଲୋକଙ୍କ ଆକାଂକ୍ଷା ପୂରଣ… pic.twitter.com/3SA9F9dAoo

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) February 7, 2026

Pradhan highlighted India’s economic rise, noting that the country has emerged as the world’s fourth-largest economy with a GDP of $4.18 trillion. He pointed out that foreign direct investment has more than doubled from $36 billion in 2013–14 to $81 billion in 2024–25, while exports have grown by 77 percent in the same period. He added that India’s startup ecosystem has expanded from 500 ventures in 2016 to nearly 200,000 today, making it the third-largest globally.

The Minister said the Budget projects a growth rate of 6.8–7.2 percent for 2026–27, with inflation under control and GST collections doubling to Rs22 lakh crore. He underlined initiatives such as BioPharma Shakti with an outlay of Rs10,000 crore, India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 worth Rs40,000 crore, and a Rs10,000 crore MSME Growth Fund. Education and employment are central themes, with the Education to Employment (E2E) framework, AVGC labs in 15,000 schools and 500 colleges, and district-level hostels for girls in STEM education.

For Odisha, Pradhan said the Budget opens new doors in agriculture, education, and tourism. The state has received a record railway allocation of Rs10,928 crore—13 times higher than the average between 2009–14. Development of National Waterway No. 5, a Rare Earth Corridor, and the East Coast Economic Corridor will strengthen Odisha’s industrial and mineral base. He added that irrigation projects, Amrit Sarovars, and coastal farming support for coconut, cashew, and cocoa will benefit farmers, while Kendupatra workers will gain from reduced tax rates.

Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Hails Union Budget 2026-27 As Blueprint For Viksit Bharat

Tourism initiatives such as “Turtle Trails” along Odisha’s coastline and the establishment of a National Institute of Hospitality will boost employment and global visibility. Pradhan said the Budget demonstrates the government’s commitment to ensuring that “the fruits of development reach the last person in society.”

“The Budget presents the image of a developed India. Odisha will be a major beneficiary, with infrastructure, technology, and welfare schemes converging to transform the state’s future,” Pradhan said.

State BJP president Manmohan Samal was also present on the occasion.