Union Budget 2025-26 to Boost Buddhist and Medical Tourism: Karan Nanda

Key Highlights:
– Increased Kisan Credit Card Limit to benefit 9.97 lakh farmer families.
– Tax Relief for Senior Citizens: Interest deduction limit doubled from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.
– Expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs in Himachal Schools.

BJP Himachal Pradesh Media Incharge Karan Nanda, in a press conference, stated that the Union Budget 2025-26 lays the foundation for a “Viksit Bharat” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. He highlighted the budget’s focus on GYAN (Garib, Yuva, Annadata, Nari Shakti) along with sectors like healthcare, infrastructure, employment, and innovation.

He emphasized that under the new tax regime, annual incomes up to ₹12 lakh will be tax-free, providing relief of ₹80,000 per year to employees, pensioners, small traders, and business owners. Additionally, the increase in Kisan Credit Card limit will benefit nearly 9.97 lakh farming families in Himachal Pradesh.

The budget has proposed interest-free loans for states for 50 years, with a total allocation of ₹1.5 lakh crore, benefiting Himachal Pradesh. Jal Jeevan Mission has been extended till 2028 with an increased budget of ₹67,000 crore, ensuring clean drinking water for the state.

Boost to Tourism & Medical Infrastructure
Nanda highlighted that the government’s focus on Buddhist tourism will enhance tourism in Dharamshala, Kullu, Manali, and Lahaul-Spiti. He also stressed that **Himachal Pradesh’s clean and peaceful environment makes it ideal for medical tourism, leading to improved infrastructure and economic benefits.

The announcement of developing 50 top tourist destinations could benefit Himachal Pradesh by attracting more visitors and creating employment opportunities in the tourism sector. Additionally, MUDRA loan support for homestays will help unemployed youth establish tourism-related businesses.

Healthcare & Education Reforms
The budget has also focused on strengthening medical and educational infrastructure. Medical college seats will be increased, with an additional 10,000 seats next year and 75,000 in five years. District-level day-care cancer centers will also be established.

Furthermore, the number of Atal Tinkering Labs in government schools will rise, with broadband connectivity introduced in secondary schools. Currently, over 200 schools in Himachal Pradesh have Atal Tinkering Labs, and this number is set to increase under the new budget provisions.

Affordable Medicines & Life-Saving Drugs
The budget has exempted 36 life-saving drugs from basic customs duty and proposed a 5% concessional duty on six other essential medicines. Additionally, 13 new patient assistance programs and 37 more medicines have been included under government healthcare schemes.

The press conference was also attended by Sudip Mahajan (State Co-Media Incharge), Rajiv Pandit (Mandal President), Tarun Rana, and Tarun Puri.