BJP’s media in-charge for Himachal Pradesh and MLA, Randhir Sharma, on Tuesday said that the Union Budget 2026–27, presented on February 1, 2026, by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has laid a strong foundation for realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Developed and Self-Reliant India.
Talking to mediapersons here, he stated that this budget was not based on traditional populist announcements but was reform-oriented and forward-looking budget, and which would play an important role in taking India towards becoming the world’s third-largest economic power.
Sharma said that despite global economic instability, threats of tariff hikes by the United States, China’s restrictions on rare-earth mineral supplies, and recent international challenges, India had presented a strong and resilient budget. He added that before 2014, India was the 11th-largest economy, but under Prime Minister Modi’s decisive leadership and policies, the country has now become the world’s fourth-largest economic power.
He said defence, modern technology and self-reliance had been given top priority in the budget. Sharma said that India no longer wishes to remain dependent on foreign nations in any sector and, keeping this in mind, the defence sector had been accorded the highest priority.
He informed that with a 15 per cent increase, a defence allocation of Rs 7.8 lakh crore had been made. India is now moving towards manufacturing its own weapons, fighter jets, microchips and semiconductors.
He said initiatives such as Semiconductor Mission 2.0, strengthening of the Artificial Intelligence sector, and boosting manufacturing clearly reflected the government’s efforts to transform India from an importing nation into an exporting powerhouse.
He also highlighted schemes like the Rare Earth Mission, the Textile Integrated Mission and the Rs 10,000 crore Bio-Pharma Shakti Yojana, which, he said, would help India emerge as a global hub in pharmaceuticals and manufacturing.
The BJP leader said BJP governments have always considered infrastructure as the backbone of development. In this budget, capital expenditure has been increased to a historic Rs 12.2 lakh crore, which will accelerate development in roads, railways, waterways, air connectivity, tourism and industrial networks across the country.
He said that under Phase-IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, even villages with a population of more than 250 are being connected, ensuring comprehensive rural development.
Taking a dig at the Congress, Sharma said the Congress party was opposing the Central government without facts. He alleged that the Congress had wasted the last three-and-a-half years in only blaming the BJP and would continue with the same negative agenda.
He said the Chief Minister and Congress leaders repeatedly claim that Himachal has received nothing, whereas the truth is that the state is receiving assistance manifold times more than before.
Sharma stated that under tax devolution, Himachal Pradesh has received Rs 13,949 crore, which is about Rs 2,500 crore more than the previous allocation. He said the Congress was deliberately hiding the fact that Himachal’s share in Central taxes had consistently increased.
He said Himachal Pradesh had been allocated Rs 2,911 crore under the rail budget, which is 27 times higher than the allocation during the Congress regime. At present, railway projects worth Rs 17,711 crore are underway in the state.
He added that under the Amrit Station Scheme, four stations in Himachal are being developed at a cost of Rs 46 crore. Himachal is already operating the Vande Bharat Express, and the state has achieved the target of 100 per cent railway electrification.
He accused the state government of not cooperating in railway expansion and said pending liabilities of nearly Rs 1,900 crore were still unpaid by the state.
Sharma said the special category status and the 90:10 funding pattern were originally granted by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which were later withdrawn during the Manmohan Singh-led Congress government.
Prime Minister Modi restored this benefit, due to which Himachal now receives 90 per cent Central assistance under major schemes.
Responding to Congress claims on Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG), Sharma said RDG was only a temporary arrangement and that the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission apply uniformly across the country.
“If the Himachal government misused grants instead of reducing deficits, it reflects state-level mismanagement and cannot be blamed on the Central government,” he added.
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