Aizawl: Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Thursday presented a Rs 17,469.91 crore budget for the 2026–27 financial year, centering on social infrastructure, agricultural connectivity, and a robust anti-drug campaign.
This is the third budget Lalduhoma, who also holds the Finance portfolio, has presented in the Assembly since the Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) assumed power in December 2023.
He also presented supplementary demands for grants totaling Rs 3,724.25 crore for the current 2025–26 fiscal year.
Presenting the state’s budget, Lalduhoma emphasized fiscal discipline and grassroots empowerment.
The budget introduces no new taxes while significantly increasing investment in the state’s infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and anti-narcotics sectors.
The Chief Minister said that his government gave priority to the welfare of local farmers and reallocated Rs 350 crore for the implementation of the state flagship “Bana Kaih” (Handholding) scheme, out of which Rs 150 crore has been specifically earmarked to procure local crops, aiming to bolster farmer livelihoods and promote inclusive development.
Addressing the state’s struggle with substance abuse, Lalduhoma announced a new budget head titled “Anti-Narcotics Activities” under the Excise Department. The initiative begins with an initial allocation of Rs 40 lakh.
“The government is committed to combating this menace, and the funds will fuel enforcement, awareness campaigns, and coordinated action.”
The state previously launched “Operation Jericho” in September 2025—a joint crackdown involving the police, the Excise Department, and the Young Mizo Association (YMA).
Complementing these efforts, the budget allocates Rs 70 lakh to support rehabilitation centers under the Social Welfare Department.
The state’s total revenue receipts are projected at Rs 17,469.91 crore, including Rs 8,608.08 crore from Central tax devolution.
With total expenditure estimated at Rs 17,076.92 crore, the budget shows a surplus of Rs 392.99 crore, which will be used to reduce Public Account liabilities.
Capital expenditure is earmarked at Rs 2,982.44 crore, a 12.18% increase over the current year. This accounts for 17.46% of the total 2026–27 expenditure.
Revenue expenditure is projected at Rs 14,094.47 crore, a 13.18% hike over the current fiscal, accounting for 82.53% of the upcoming budget.
The rise in revenue expenditure is due to an increase in administrative expenses, salary increments, and pensionary charges, according to the Chief Minister.
Healthcare remains a top priority, with Rs 130 crore allocated for reimbursement of bills under the Mizoram Universal Healthcare Scheme (MUHCS).
The scheme, implemented last April, provides up to Rs 5 lakh in annual coverage for cashless treatment at government and empanelled private facilities.
Lalduhoma also informed the Assembly that the state recently secured an Rs 803.74 crore loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to strengthen the MUHCS infrastructure.
Furthermore, Rs 183.25 crore has been set aside for road maintenance and connectivity improvements, out of which Rs 43.25 crore is expected to be realized from road maintenance cess.
Rs 80 crore has been allocated for local area development funds for 40 legislators.
The state’s own tax revenue is projected at Rs 1,619.25 crore, while non-tax revenue is estimated at Rs 1,140.5 crore.
To ensure long-term stability, Lalduhoma announced the formation of a study team focused on fiscal consolidation.
He warned that the government would take strict measures to prevent “committed liabilities” previously caused by corrupt bureaucrats and politicians who awarded contracts without approved work orders.
Lalduhoma said that the government would leverage the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme to augment capital expenditure and accelerate infrastructure development, and Rs 1,000 crore is estimated to be received under this interest-free loan scheme during 2026–27.
Using a robust methodology to arrive at a realistic estimate, the GSDP for 2026–27 has been projected at Rs 43,817.09 crore, indicating an estimated increase of Rs 4,290.67 crore over the previous year, he said.
On fiscal parameters, Lalduhoma estimated the revenue surplus at Rs 899.84 crore (2.05% of GSDP) and the gross fiscal deficit at Rs 1,669.02 crore (3.81% of GSDP).
The projected liabilities are Rs 19,085.16 crore, and the debt-GSDP ratio is 43.56%.