Gujarat Budget 2025-26: Rs 352 crore push to check cybercrime and Cyber Centre of Excellence, Anti-Narcotics Task Force to be set up in Gujarat  

GANDHINAGAR: On 20 February 2025, the Gujarat government stated that it would establish an anti-narcotics task force (ANTF) and a cyber centre of excellence for cybercrime (CCECC) to create a robust framework to combat the exponential increase in drug-peddling and cybercrime cases. Finance Minister Kanu Desai stated that Rs 352 crore had been set up for these projects in the state’s 2025–2026 budget.

“A state-level CCECC and cyber forensic units (CFU) will be established, with an emphasis on law enforcement and cyber security. To take tough measures against drug trafficking, an ATF operative team would be established, Desai stated. In his budget speech, he also mentioned that the government intends to hire 14,000 SRP members and establish 1,390 new traffic police positions.

Desai stated that Rs 299 crore has been allocated for 1,186 posts under the CCECC, out of a total of Rs 12,659 crore for the home department. At the state level, the centre will deal with topics including cyber security and cyber intelligence. The ANTF was given a budget of Rs 23 crore, and each district was given Rs 30 crore to establish Cyber Forensic Units (CFUs).

The finance minister stated that the acquisition of equipment for specialized squads such as the Chetak commandos, the state disaster response force, the quick reaction team, and the bomb detection and disposal squad (BDDS) will cost approximately Rs 63 crore.