Sikkim Assembly adopts 2026-27 Budget with ₹19,215 crore gross outlay

The Sikkim Assembly on Monday tabled the Budget for 2026-27. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang proposed a gross expenditure of ₹19,215 crore. After recoveries, the net expenditure is ₹18,455 crore, with the government outlining a mix of revenue spending and capital works.

Outlay details and funding plan

The Budget estimates revenue expenditure at ₹11,733 crore and capital expenditure at ₹5,896 crore, excluding loans and advances. In addition, ₹2,460 crore has been earmarked under Centrally Sponsored Schemes. The Chief Minister said the plan will be financed through the state’s own revenues, transfers from the Government of India, and prudent borrowings.

Presenting the economic outlook, Tamang told the House that Sikkim has recorded average real GSDP growth of over 12.6 per cent during the past eight years. The government also projected that the state’s GSDP at current prices will reach ₹62,973 crore in 2026-27. The Budget was framed under the vision of Viksit Sikkim @2047, with the government aiming to sustain annual growth above 13 per cent while maintaining fiscal responsibility and sustainable debt levels.

Key initiatives for agriculture, infrastructure and digital governance

For agriculture, the government announced a State Interest Subvention Scheme to support eligible farmers repaying Kisan Credit Card crop loans on time with an effective interest rate of one per cent. It also proposed “Mero Alaichi, Mero Dhan Mission” to revive the large cardamom sector through scientific research, disease-resistant varieties and farmer field laboratories.

In infrastructure, the government said about 570 kilometres of roads will be upgraded using Mastic Asphalt Surfacing at an estimated cost of ₹546 crore. It also reiterated the implementation of the Asian Development Bank-assisted Sikkim Power Sector Development Project and noted that over 92,000 smart meters have been installed. The Budget further includes plans for satellite townships around Gangtok, revitalisation of the historic core in Gangtok, and expanded digital governance, including e-Budget, e-Payment and Aadhaar-based Direct Benefit Transfer.

The Chief Minister also set out healthcare initiatives. These include a statewide HPV screening programme for about 1.5 lakh women aged 30 to 65, operationalisation of the state’s first renal transplant programme at STNM Hospital, and an Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre. Education changes were also announced, including commencement of MBBS admissions at the Sikkim Government Medical College, Sochakgang, with an annual intake of 100 students from the academic year 2026-27.

During the Budget session, Governor Om Prakash Mathur described the 2026-27 Budget as a roadmap for “Sunaulo, Samriddha ani Samarth Sikkim” and highlighted priorities such as strengthening productive sectors, improving infrastructure and human capital, promoting environmentally sustainable growth, and planned urbanisation.