Panchkula (Haryana) [India], March 7 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini stated on Tuesday that the upcoming state budget for 2025-26 will be growth-oriented, focusing on agriculture, education, health, sports, infrastructure, and women's empowerment.
According to a release, CM Saini emphasized that the budget will establish a strong foundation for the state's progress and contribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
Saini presided over a meeting with Administrative Secretaries of various departments in Panchkula as part of pre-budget consultations. The Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha is scheduled to begin on March 7, 2025. Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar and Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi were also present at the meeting.
The Chief Minister underscored the crucial role of Administrative Secretaries in the budget formulation process. He invited suggestions from them to be incorporated into the state budget and indicated that several new welfare initiatives would be introduced.
Major Governance Reforms
Highlighting the state's governance reforms, Saini stated that Haryana has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, making public services more accessible. He noted that senior citizens now receive old-age allowances automatically upon reaching 60 years, eliminating the need for repeated office visits.
Education and Youth Development
The Chief Minister reiterated the government's commitment to quality education, ensuring an optimal student-teacher ratio and improved infrastructure in government schools. To promote girls' education, colleges have been established within a 20-km radius to reduce the need for long-distance travel. Additionally, plans are in place to open e-libraries in rural schools and colleges to help students prepare for competitive exams.
Sports and Infrastructure Development
Saini highlighted Haryana’s emergence as a sporting powerhouse, crediting the success of state athletes in national and international competitions to the government's robust sports infrastructure and policies. He added that Haryana’s sports policy is widely recognized across the country.
Health Sector Advancements
Discussing healthcare improvements, the Chief Minister stated that the government has expanded bed capacity in government hospitals and made essential tests and medicines available free of cost. He also announced that the state has fulfilled its promise of offering free dialysis services to kidney patients in government hospitals.
Inclusive Budget Consultations
Saini emphasized that the government has sought input from various stakeholders, including industry associations, chartered accountants, agricultural scientists, startups, youth, women entrepreneurs, and self-help groups, to prepare an inclusive budget. For the first time, citizens have been invited to submit budget suggestions online, with around 10,000 responses received so far.
Additionally, MPs and MLAs participated in a two-day pre-budget consultation in Panchkula on March 3 and 4. The Chief Minister assured that the best suggestions would be incorporated into the budget to benefit Haryana’s 2.80 crore citizens. (ANI)