Gujarat's Financial Discipline Shines Amidst Opposition Criticism

In a pointed dissection of fiscal policies, Gujarat's agriculture minister, Jitu Vaghani, hailed the state's leading financial management, showcasing it as a model of fiscal discipline. Citing the NITI Aayog's 'Fiscal Health Index-2025' report, he emphasized Gujarat's top 'Achiever' ranking and contrasted it against opposition states, including Punjab and Kerala.

Vaghani criticized the financial strategies of opposition-ruled states, noting their lower rankings. He highlighted Gujarat's Debt-to-GSDP ratio of 18.2%, significantly below the 27% limit, compared to Punjab's 47%. Vaghani emphasized that borrowing for infrastructure paves the way for productive investment, setting Gujarat apart in fiscal discipline.

Evoking the past, Vaghani argued that past governments reduced economic governance to mere statistics without integrated frameworks for development. He praised Gujarat’s transformation from a deficit to a revenue surplus state, emphasizing the growth in state budget and per capita income under present governance, underscoring a robust contribution to national GDP.