Gujarat Finance Minister Kanu Desai presented a surplus Budget of £33.24 billion for 2024-25, prioritizing nutrition, health, and education. Among significant announcements, Desai revealed plans to upgrade seven municipalities - Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, and Mehsana -into municipal corporations, expanding the state's urban footprint from its current 50 per cent. Currently, Gujarat hosts eight municipal corporations.
Desai emphasised the need for these new municipal corporations to enhance town management, given that the state's urban population is projected to reach 75 per cent by 2047. This move will increase the number of municipal corporations in the Saurashtra-Kutch region to seven. Notably, Porbandar, despite having a higher population than Surendranagar, Gandhidham, and Morbi, will remain a municipality.
While not imposing any new taxes, the Budget proposed tax relief to the tune of £75.4 million. Another relief announced was on stamp duty being paid by members of credit cooperative societies on getting loan. The Budget allocated maximum provision for the education department. It also announced a new scholarship scheme – Namo Saraswati – to promote school students from low and middle income households studying science and technology.
The Budget allocated £ 2 billion for the health and family welfare department, which is 32 per cent more than the current year’s allocation.
