Budget Inclusive, but Lacks a Clear Roadmap for Jharkhand: Aditya Malhotra
Ranchi, February 1, 2026: Reacting to the Union Budget 2026, Aditya Malhotra, President of the Jharkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said that the budget is inclusive in intent but falls short of presenting a clear and actionable roadmap for Jharkhand.
Malhotra noted that the budget has addressed several important sectors such as health, tourism, Ayurveda, hostels for girl students, development of smaller cities, concessions on life-saving medicines, waterways, speed corridors, the Buddhist Circuit, and production-linked incentives. Collectively, these initiatives are positive, he said. However, he added that the absence of a clearly defined framework and implementation details makes it difficult to assess their actual impact, which will only become clearer after a detailed study.
From Jharkhand’s perspective, Malhotra pointed out that adequate emphasis has not been given to waterways, mineral-based development, and speed corridors, despite the state’s vast natural resources and its potential to play a significant role in achieving the vision of Developed India 2047.
Welcoming the proposal to establish NIMHANS-2 in Ranchi, he described it as a positive step for strengthening healthcare infrastructure in the state. He further urged the Union Government to consider setting up one of the three proposed Ayurveda institutes in Jharkhand, stating that this would boost medical tourism and help the state emerge prominently at both national and global levels.
