Madhya Pradesh’s Rs 4.38 lakh crore Budget focuses on women, farmers and infrastructure

Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jagdish Devda on Wednesday tabled the state’s “women-centric” budget for 2026-27 with a total outlay of Rs 4,38,317 crore, announcing that no new taxes would be imposed.

Devda presented the Mohan Yadav government’s third consecutive budget amid interruptions from the Opposition, which raised concerns over the rising debt burden in the state. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav later described the budget as the fulfilment of his government’s commitment to development.

In his nearly 90-minute speech, Devda said the budget is based on the model “GYANII – Garib Kalyan (poor), Yuva Shakti (youth), Annadata (farmers), Nari Shakti (women empowerment), Infrastructure and Industry”. He said allocations of about Rs 3 lakh crore have been made across these focus areas.

Ensuring justice for every woman is the government’s objective and providing employment to the youth is its resolve, he said.

The finance minister announced provisions of Rs 1,27,555 crore for women welfare schemes, including self-help groups and the Ujjwala Yojana. He also said 5,700 hostels would be constructed for working women.

The budget has earmarked Rs 23,883 crore for the ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’, under which more than 1.25 crore women receive monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 each. The government has so far disbursed Rs 52,304 crore under the programme launched in 2023.

Referring to the “rolling budget” provision introduced for the first time to carry forward funds to the next fiscal, Devda said, “Unlike traditional budgets, this approach extends planning beyond a single financial year. It signals a move towards predictable, adaptive, and growth-oriented budgeting, aligned with long-term development priorities.”

Explaining the framework, he said the rolling budget is revised periodically to reflect changing economic conditions, policy outcomes and fiscal realities. “Each year, the budget rolls forward by adding another year to the planning horizon,” he said.

A special provision of Rs 3,600 crore has been made for the mega religious event Simhastha Kumbh to be held in Ujjain in 2028.

An allocation of Rs 40,062 crore has been proposed for the Panchayat and Rural Development Department.

Devda announced that 15,000 teachers would be recruited. Milk in tetra packs will also be provided free of cost to children up to Class 8 in government schools.

He reiterated that the budget proposes no new taxes in the state.

The finance minister announced Rs 10,428 crore for the rural employment guarantee scheme ‘G RAM G’ and Rs 900 crore for the PM Janman scheme dedicated to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

He also said 1 lakh farmers would be provided solar pumps.

Other allocations include Rs 1,335 crore for the Labour Department, Rs 12,690 crore for road repairs and Rs 4,454 crore for the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Devda said the budget is aimed at realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision.

During the budget speech, Congress MLAs raised slogans over the non-enhancement of the MLA fund and entered the well of the House. Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar urged them to maintain order and return to their seats.

Chief Minister Yadav said the budget fulfils his government’s commitment to development. In the “Year of Farmers’ Welfare”, more than Rs 1 lakh crore has been allocated for agriculture-related development works, he said.

“Rs 1 lakh crore has also been allocated for infrastructure work. This is the first time since the formation of the state that such a large amount has been provided. Adequate funds have been allocated across all sectors, showing our commitment to development and public welfare and aligning with the vision of Mission 2047,” he said.

The Opposition Congress said the state’s debt is continuously increasing, while the government maintains that all is well.

Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar claimed the government’s “borrowing of Rs 5,600 crore even before the budget session” indicates that the state is being burdened with debt.

The government is “living on a fortune” by borrowing from public tax money and spreading illusions in the name of development, he alleged.

Speaking to reporters, Singhar described it as a budget of false figures and empty promises.

“This budget is a deception of the people of the state and is completely disconnected from ground reality,” he said.

“This is a document of illusion. It attempts to mislead the public by presenting false figures. The people of the state have seen through this deception and will respond in due time,” he added.

(With inputs from agencies)