In a rousing address in Guwahati, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday lauded the 2026-27 Union Budget as historic and visionary, with special emphasis on uplifting the Northeast. The budget, he said, encapsulates the dream of Viksit Bharat while building pillars for an Atmanirbhar India by 2047, prioritizing inclusive development and social prosperity.
Chouhan detailed the enhanced funding for Northeast development, with DoNER receiving Rs 6,812 crore, up by Rs 897 crore from last year. ‘This allocation clearly signals our resolve to fast-track progress in the region,’ he affirmed. For Assam specifically, the tax transfer provision stands at Rs 49,725 crore for the upcoming fiscal year, adding to the Rs 3.12 lakh crore disbursed since 2014.
Turning to healthcare, the minister spotlighted the Rs 10,000 crore BioPharma Shakti initiative over five years. This strategy leverages knowledge, technology, and innovation to advance health services, focusing on building local expertise in biologics—intricate medicines from living cells used against cancer and autoimmune conditions—and affordable biosimilars. Upgradation of facilities like Guwahati’s NIPER will drive research, innovation, and skilled workforce development in the Northeast.
Agriculture emerges as a cornerstone, with the sector’s outlay surging to Rs 1,32,561 crore. To promote scientific advancements, Rs 9,967 crore is dedicated to agri-education and research. Farmers will benefit from Rs 1,70,944 crore in fertilizer subsidies, easing access to cheap nutrients and curbing input costs. Chouhan’s conference underscored how the budget weaves together regional equity, health innovation, and farmer welfare into a cohesive growth narrative, promising sweeping changes ahead.