Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
MP Rajinder Gupta seeks higher spending on spending on Education, Health; Demands Rs 10,000-crore boost for Mohali Semiconductor lab
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, February 12, 2026: Participating in the discussion on the Union Budget in the Rajya Sabha, Member of Parliament and Padma Shri awardee Rajinder Gupta described the Budget as fiscally prudent and growth-oriented, while urging the Centre to significantly increase public investment in education and healthcare to ensure inclusive development.
Congratulating the Finance Minister on presenting her ninth consecutive Budget, Gupta termed it a symbol of stability, continuity and the growing leadership of women. However, he emphasized that India’s aspiration to become the world’s third-largest economy must rest on stronger social sector spending that directly improves the lives of ordinary citizens.
Referring to Punjab as the land of “gurus, pirs and prophets” guided by the spirit of sarbat da bhala, Gupta said the true measure of any Budget lies in its impact on the poorest and most vulnerable sections of society.
Gupta welcomed the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline, noting the projected fiscal deficit of 4.3 per cent and a capital expenditure outlay exceeding ₹12 lakh crore as aligned with the vision of “Viksit Bharat.”
He also appreciated tax reforms aimed at improving ease of doing business, support for the domestic pharmaceutical sector, enhanced allocations for women-focused schemes, and the recently concluded India–EU trade agreement, which he described as a landmark achievement.
However, he cautioned that economic expansion must be matched with higher public investment in education, healthcare and infrastructure to ensure equitable growth.
Highlighting that education allocation stands at over ₹1.39 lakh crore, Gupta acknowledged the positive intent but pointed out that overall education spending remains between 4.1 and 4.6 per cent of GDP — short of the 6 per cent target envisaged under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
He expressed concern over rising school fees, closure of thousands of schools in recent years, and declining public confidence in government institutions.
Calling commercialization of education a threat to the spirit of Article 21A, which guarantees the right to education, Gupta proposed the formation of an independent education commission to regulate affordability and curb profiteering.
He also suggested establishing centres of excellence in government schools, accountability measures encouraging public servants to enrol their children in public institutions, and the creation of Education–Employment–Enterprise (EEE) clusters to address the mismatch between degrees and employable skills.
Turning to healthcare, Gupta said India’s public health expenditure of around 1.9 per cent of GDP remains critically low, particularly in view of the country’s growing population and rising disease burden.
While acknowledging the benefits of Ayushman Bharat and the expansion of allied health institutions, he warned that inadequate public infrastructure forces families to incur heavy out-of-pocket expenses, often pushing them into debt.
He urged emergency strengthening of public healthcare systems, full tax incentives for hospitals in underserved areas, and improved coverage and reimbursement mechanisms under Ayushman Bharat.
Gupta called for greater financial security for nearly 15 crore senior citizens above the age of 60. He recommended tax relief on rental income, higher and safer interest rates on deposits, and policies that ensure dignified and self-reliant livelihoods for the elderly.
On women’s empowerment, he acknowledged initiatives such as Lakhpati Didi and SHE-Marts but stressed the need for structural reforms including safer workplaces, childcare support, land ownership rights, and mandatory government procurement from women-led enterprises.
Addressing concerns of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), which employ over 11 crore people, Gupta highlighted the need for patient, long-term capital. He proposed establishing a robust development bank to finance sustained industrial growth, stating that long-term economic vision cannot rely solely on short-term financing mechanisms.
Focusing on Punjab’s industrial prospects, Gupta urged the Centre to announce a special package of ₹10,000 crore for the modernization and expansion of the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali — the country’s only government-owned semiconductor facility.
He argued that strengthening semiconductor, textile and advanced manufacturing sectors in Punjab would help curb youth migration and promote technological self-reliance.
“This is not merely Punjab’s demand; it is about India’s strategic autonomy in critical technologies,” Gupta said, adding that Punjab has consistently contributed to national growth and deserves priority investment.
Concluding his address, Gupta emphasized that economic policy must ultimately deliver tangible benefits in classrooms, hospitals, farms and homes, ensuring that inclusive growth becomes a lived reality for every citizen.