Budget Gives Rs 50k Cr Over 5 Yrs For 'Developed Gujarat Fund'

The government has proposed to establish a Rs 50,000 crore Developed Gujarat Fund for the next five years, of which, Rs 5,000 crore has been allocated for this year. In addition, the government has decided to form an Artificial Intelligence Task Force to ensure maximum use of AI in the state. A provision of Rs 3,600 crore has been made to support startups under the Industries Department, while Rs 2,000 crore has been allocated under the Gujarat Textile Policy.

In the press conference, Desai said, "The government has decided to make necessary improvements in the administrative structure and working methods of the state, rationalise human resources and adopt new technology to increase efficiency of government operations, for which, it has been decided to form the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission under the chairmanship of Hasmukh Adhia.”

The budget has emphasised ensuring ease of living for citizens by using AI. For this, an AI Task Force consisting of experts has been formed to encourage the use of the technology. Its aim is to make the state a leader in AI and tech-driven governance.

Desai further said, "Under Viksit Gujarat @ 2047, a provision of Rs 200 crore has been made for the Chief Minister's Green Ring Road Scheme, along with a provision of Rs 1,020 crore under the Garvi Gujarat High Speed ​​Corridor Project. Under this, 12 new high-speed corridors of 1,367 km will be developed. In addition, the Deesa to Pipavav highway, connecting Banaskantha and the coast of Saurashtra, will be developed as the Namoshakti Expressway. The highway connecting religious, tourist places and ports like Dwarka, Somnath and Porbandar from Ahmedabad, and its extension, will be developed as the Somnath Dwarka Expressway.”

A total of Rs 6,505 crore has been provided in the tourism sector with an increase of 31 per cent. A District Tourism Development Society will be established in all districts of the state to promote tourism at the district level.