Chandigarh (Haryana) [India]: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday announced the launch of the Lado Laxmi Yojana, a welfare scheme that will provide financial assistance of ₹2,100 per month to women in the state.
The announcement came as CM Saini presented Haryana’s budget for the 2025-26 financial year, which stands at ₹2,05,017 crore.
“Lado Laxmi Yojana will be started in the state to provide financial assistance of ₹2,100 per month to women,” CM Saini posted on X. He further revealed that a provision of ₹5,000 crore has been allocated for the scheme in the upcoming financial year.
In addition to welfare initiatives, CM Saini announced plans to enhance the state’s technological capabilities by creating a ‘Department of Future’.
“To realize the vision of a developed Haryana, a Department of Future will be established,” Saini stated. This department will oversee the development of AI hubs in Gurugram and Panchkula to promote innovation and growth in the field of artificial intelligence.
Addressing the media after the budget presentation, CM Saini highlighted key financial details:
- Tax revenue is estimated at around ₹1.7 lakh crore
- Non-tax revenue is projected at approximately ₹20,000 crore
- 20.84% of the total budget is allocated to social services
- 15.37% is designated for general services
- 21.53% will go toward economic services
- The remaining 30.26% will cover loan repayments and EMIs
The CM noted that the revenue deficit is estimated at 1.53% of the state’s GDP, while the fiscal deficit is projected at 2.67% of GDP.
In a lighter moment after presenting the budget, CM Saini enjoyed jalebi with his ministers.
Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda criticized the budget, accusing the BJP government of failing to implement announced schemes effectively.
“Various schemes have been announced in the budget, but they are not visible on the ground… They are working to drown the state in debt… We are moving towards a debt trap… No provision has been made in the budget for the development of the state,” Hooda claimed.