Gujarat owes over Rs 1,65,000 crore as public debt

Gujarat's public debt stood at over Rs 1,65,000 crore as per revised estimates of 2014-15, the state government told the Assembly today.

Replying to a written question raised by Lunawada MLA Hirabhai Patel during the question hour, state Finance Minister Saurabh Patel said Gujarat owes Rs 1,65,742 crore as public debt.

He said the government has paid a cumulative amount of Rs 54,349 crore as interest and principle during last three financial years.

In 2012-13, the state government has paid Rs 10,883 crore as interest and Rs 6,537 crore as principle amount against the loans taken by the state, the Minister said.

In 2013-14, state has paid Rs 11,916 crore as interest and Rs 6,204 crore as principle. In 2014-15, the amount was Rs 13,297 crore and Rs 5,512 crore respectively, Patel said.