New Delhi, Feb. 11 -- The effective capital expenditure for the Financial Year 2026-27, including that for states and union territories is Rs 17.1 lakh crore, which is 4.4% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and this will give a push to the goal of Viksit Bharat, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Wednesday.

Replying to the debate in the Lok Sabha on the Union Budget 2026-27, Sitharaman outlined various government initiatives, including skilling and infrastructure investment.

The Budget 2026 has increased public capex from Rs 11.2 lakh crore in BE 2025-26 to Rs 12.2 lakh crore in FY2026-27. Sitharaman said that taken together with the provisions for states and union territories, the effective capital expenditure is Rs 17...