Sitharaman holds pre-Budget consultation with States and UTs; states seek continuation of SASCI
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the pre-Budget consultation with States and UTs (with legislature) in New Delhi on 10 January 2026, where many participants asked for the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) to continue in the Union Budget 2026-27.
Summary
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the pre-Budget consultation with States and Union Territories (with legislature) in New Delhi on 10 January 2026, ahead of the Union Budget for 2026-27. Attendees included the Chief Ministers of Goa, Haryana, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir, the Governor of Manipur, and Deputy Chief Ministers of Arunachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana. Many participants asked that the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) be continued. Since 2020-21, the Centre has released more than ₹4.25 lakh crore to states as 50-year interest-free loans under SASCI.
Key facts
- Meeting
- Pre-Budget consultation with States and UTs (with legislature)
- Chair, date
- Nirmala Sitharaman, 10 January 2026, New Delhi
- Budget
- Union Budget 2026-27
- Key demand
- Continue SASCI
- SASCI
- 50-year interest-free loans; > ₹4.25 lakh crore released since 2020-21
Practice MCQs 2 questions
At the pre-Budget consultation with States on 10 January 2026, many participants asked for the continuation of which scheme?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)
PIB (Finance): many participants highlighted that SASCI be continued.
Under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), the Centre gives states which kind of support, as stated in January 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 50-year interest-free loans
PIB (Finance): since 2020-21 the Union Government has released more than ₹4.25 lakh crore to states as 50-year interest-free loans under SASCI.