The North News
Chandigarh, March 17
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday presented a tax-free ₹2.05 lakh crore budget for 2025-26, with major allocations for social welfare and technology. The budget includes ₹5,000 crore for the ‘Lado Lakshmi Yojana’, providing ₹2,100 monthly assistance to women, and proposes an authority to combat drug abuse.
In his maiden budget address, Saini, who also holds the finance portfolio, announced the creation of a ‘Department of Future’ to enhance Haryana’s technological capabilities. The budget marks a 13.7% increase from revised estimates of 2024-25.
He highlighted Haryana’s digital governance push, claiming 19 of 217 poll promises have been fulfilled. Saini also proposed the Haryana AI Mission, with ₹474 crore in World Bank aid, and AI hubs in Gurugram and Panchkula. To boost startups, the state will encourage private investors to establish a ₹2,000 crore ‘fund of funds’.
