Populist pitch likely as CM Nayab Saini tables Haryana Budget today

Haryana is likely to see an expansive Budget when Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presents the financial roadmap in the Assembly tomorrow.

What to watch…

Relief measures for farmers, including tubewell connections

Possible expansion of MSP coverage

Higher allocation for Gurugram infrastructure

Revision in income limits for welfare schemes

Push for MSMEs and employment generation

Roadmap for ‘Department of the Future’ initiatives

Sources indicate that suggestions gathered during pre-Budget consultations with stakeholders have been factored into the exercise. However, this year marked the first instance of the Opposition staying away from the consultative meeting. The Congress boycotted the session, while the two MLAs of the INLD also skipped it, alleging that their inputs are routinely ignored.

“There is no use of giving any suggestions to the ruling BJP government. They do this exercise merely for optics. We end up wasting time in identifying what can be done only to realise that it was an exercise in futility when the Budget is presented,” Congress leader Aftab Ahmed stated.

INLD’s Aditya Devilal echoed similar sentiments. “The government has no vision. It bases its Budget on the vision of one man — Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We realised there was no point in going for this meeting,” he claimed.

The ruling BJP is expected to use the Budget to send a positive message to neighbouring Punjab, where Assembly elections are due next year. Given the aggressive outreach led by the Chief Minister over the past year, the Budget is likely to be crafted with an eye on the Punjab polls, projecting Haryana as a “people-friendly government”.

The Budget is expected to carry significant sops for the underprivileged, possibly including a revision of income eligibility limits for social security schemes. Gurugram, often described as Haryana’s global showcase but criticised for its monsoon infrastructure failures, may receive enhanced allocations for a comprehensive infrastructure makeover. Local leaders have consistently demanded greater investment, citing the city’s substantial contribution to the state exchequer.

Farmers, a key constituency in both Haryana and Punjab, are also likely to figure prominently. The BJP has sought to strengthen its pro-farmer image through procurement of 24 crops on MSP and Direct Benefit Transfer payments. The long-pending issue of tubewell connections, repeatedly raised in the House, may find mention, along with possible expansion of crops under the MSP ambit or additional subsidies.

The “Department of the Future”, announced during the previous Budget session to promote technology-driven planning, may see further detailing, with expansion of tech-led initiatives into other sectors.

Facing criticism from the Opposition over rising unemployment, the government may also focus on boosting industry, particularly MSMEs. Environmental concerns such as protection of the Aravallis, safe drinking water supply, education and women empowerment schemes are also expected to be part of the policy thrust.