STATE TIMES NEWS
Leh: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, has welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27 presented by the Hon’ble Union Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, describing it as a visionary, future-oriented and transformative roadmap for building a Viksit Bharat.
Kavinder Gupta stated that the Budget reflects the strong aspirations of India’s 140 crore citizens, who are determined not only to sustain the momentum of being the world’s fastest-growing economy but also to position the country among the world’s top three economies at the earliest. He said the Budget presents a clear and ambitious pathway to translate these national aspirations into measurable outcomes in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Lt Governor said the Budget is guided by the spirit of Kartavya, inclusiveness and national strength, and is firmly anchored in the vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas aur Sabka Prayas. The emphasis on manufacturing, infrastructure, innovation and advanced technology will significantly accelerate the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, while strengthening India’s economic resilience and global competitiveness.
Highlighting major proposals, Kavinder Gupta said initiatives such as the Bio-Pharma Shakti Mission, Semiconductor Mission 2.0, the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme, development of a Rare Earth Corridor, focus on critical minerals, new schemes for the textile sector, promotion of high-tech toy manufacturing, and the creation of champion MSMEs demonstrate a comprehensive and forward-looking approach to growth. He said the Budget’s focused support for MSMEs and small industries will enable them to expand from local markets to global platforms.
The Lt Governor also welcomed the Budget’s strong thrust on infrastructure development, including the expansion of dedicated freight corridors, development of high-speed rail networks, focused development of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and promotion of municipal bonds to strengthen urban finances. These measures, he said, will ensure balanced regional development and provide a strong foundation for sustained economic growth.
Emphasising the people-centric nature of the Budget, Shri Kavinder Gupta said the focus on education-to-employment linkages, skilling, healthcare, tourism, sports and creative industries underscores the Government’s commitment to unlocking the full potential of India’s human capital. The farmer-centric, women-led and divyangjan-inclusive approach further reinforces the principles of equity and social justice.
Welcoming the Budget allocation for the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Lt Governor said it will provide renewed momentum to Ladakh’s development by strengthening connectivity, sustainable infrastructure, tourism, heritage conservation and youth empowerment. He also welcomed the inclusion of Leh Palace among nationally identified archaeological sites for heritage-led development, stating that the initiative will promote responsible tourism while preserving Ladakh’s unique cultural identity and ecology.
“The Union Budget 2026 is not merely a financial document; it is a declaration of confidence in the aspirations of India’s 140 crore citizens,” Shri Kavinder Gupta said. “It calls upon every region, including Ladakh, to actively contribute to the collective mission of building a strong, self-reliant and inclusive Viksit Bharat.”
The Lt Governor urged the youth of Ladakh to take full advantage of the opportunities created through the Union Budget 2026 in areas such as skilling, entrepreneurship and innovation. He said the Budget provides a strong foundation for youth to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute actively to the vision of a Viksit Bharat while preserving Ladakh’s unique cultural and ecological heritage.
