Chandigarh, Feb. 13 -- Rajya Sabha member Rajinder Gupta on Thursday described the Budget 2026-27 as fiscally prudent and growth-oriented, while seeking a higher public spending on education and healthcare.

Participating in the Rajya Sabha discussion on the Union Budget, Gupta argued that India's march towards becoming the world's third-largest economy must rest on stronger public expenditure in these two sectors. He congratulated finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on presenting her ninth consecutive Budget, calling it a symbol of stability, continuity and the rising leadership of women.

He welcomed the focus on fiscal discipline, citing the projected fiscal deficit of 4.3% and capital expenditure outlay exceeding Rs.12 lakh crore as a...