Rajya Sabha MP Rajinder Gupta Calls for Higher Budget Spending on Education, Healthcare
February 12, 2026
etnews / Ludhiana
Rajya Sabha Member, Padma Shri Rajinder Gupta urged the Central Government to increase public investment in education and healthcare while demanding a ₹10,000-crore special package to modernize the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) in Mohali.
Participating in the Union Budget discussion in the Upper House, Gupta described the current fiscal roadmap as a symbol of stability and growth. However, he cautioned that India’s journey toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy requires a stronger foundation in human capital and technological self-reliance.
Gupta specifically highlighted the critical need for a semiconductor fabrication facility in Punjab. He argued that a ₹10,000-crore investment in the Mohali SCL would not only advance India’s tech sovereignty but also create high-quality local jobs, helping to curb the migration of youth from the state.
Addressing the education sector, the MP expressed concern that spending remains below the 6% GDP target set by the National Education Policy 2020. He proposed the creation of Education–Employment–Enterprise (EEE) clusters to bridge the gap between academic degrees and industry-ready skills.
The lawmaker also characterized India’s healthcare spending of 1.9% of GDP as "critically low." He called for an emergency strengthening of public health infrastructure to protect families from high out-of-pocket expenses that often lead to crippling debt.
To support the MSME sector, which employs over 11 crore people, Gupta advocated for a dedicated development bank. He emphasized that long-term industrial growth cannot be sustained by short-term financing, calling for "patient capital" to fuel the nation's manufacturing vision.
For senior citizens, Gupta requested immediate relief in the form of tax and rent concessions. He further suggested that the government offer higher and safer interest rates on bank deposits to ensure financial independence for India’s 15 crore elderly citizens.
Concluding his address, Gupta reminded the House that economic policy must translate into tangible benefits in homes and classrooms. He noted that the true success of "Viksit Bharat" depends on how the budget treats the most vulnerable sections of society.
Rajinder Gupta Rajya Sabha Union Budget Debate Education Spending India Healthcare Budget
Recommended Posts
Education / February 22, 2026
Rebuild Of Basti Hazur School Ordered, New Building Within Six MonthsHarjot Singh Bains.
Education / February 20, 2026
Harjot Singh Bains Becomes First Education Minister In Punjabs History To Inspect Over 2,000 Govt Schools.
Education / February 20, 2026
Harjot Singh Bains Becomes First Education Minister in Punjab’s History to Inspect Over 2,000 Govt Schools.
Education / February 18, 2026
Punjab Govt Issues Show-Cause Notices to 6 Teachers After Minister’s Surprise School Inspection.
Education / February 18, 2026
Schools in Ludhiana Face Audits as DC Orders Crackdown on Rule Violations.
Education / February 18, 2026
Bhagwant Mann Govt Enforces Strict Accountability To Strengthen Sikhya Kranti, Show-cause Notices Issued To 6 Teachers.
Latest
@Webhead Web Services
@Webhead Web Services
The News Feed
Most Visited Stories
