In a significant engagement aimed at mapping Haryana’s economic trajectory over the coming decades, the 16th Finance Commission, led by Chairman Dr. Arvind Panagariya, held an extensive meeting with Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and senior state officials in Chandigarh on Monday. The discussions focused sharply on the state’s financial management strategies, current performance metrics, and a forward-looking roadmap designed to solidify Haryana’s position as a major contributor to India’s national growth narrative.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who also holds the finance portfolio, spearheaded the deliberations, presenting a comprehensive vision for Haryana’s fiscal resilience and inclusive development. Supported by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Commissioner and Secretary of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture Department Dr. Amit Aggarwal, and Director General of Urban Local Bodies Department Pankaj, the leadership team illustrated Haryana’s journey from its inception in 1966 to its evolution as a formidable economic powerhouse within India’s federal structure.

One of the major highlights shared during the meeting was the projected Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Haryana, which is estimated to reach ₹6,77,033 crore for the fiscal year 2024–25. This economic dynamism is underscored by Haryana’s ranking as the second-highest state in India in terms of per capita income, standing at ₹3,53,182. In a noteworthy achievement for agrarian reform, Haryana has emerged as the first Indian state to guarantee the procurement of all crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), a move aimed at bolstering farmers’ incomes and ensuring agricultural sustainability.

The Commission was briefed on Haryana’s consistent efforts toward fostering inclusive growth, demonstrated by policy measures such as raising the annual income limit to ₹1.8 lakh for identifying families below the poverty line. In the health sector, progressive schemes like Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu Haryana have extended healthcare coverage to over 61.84% of the population, encompassing nearly 47 lakh families. These initiatives not only reflect Haryana’s commitment to social welfare but also illustrate effective governance despite receiving a relatively smaller share of central devolutions.

Maintaining fiscal discipline has been a cornerstone of Haryana’s administrative ethos, with the state successfully keeping its fiscal deficit and liabilities within the targets prescribed by the Finance Commission. Haryana has also cemented its position as a robust contributor to India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection, ranking fifth nationally and leading among major states in terms of per capita GST revenue. The state’s strong tax administration framework continues to drive this impressive fiscal performance.

The Commission took note of Haryana’s rapid strides toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as evidenced by its elevation from the ‘Performer’ to the ‘Front Runner’ category on India’s SDG Index, securing the 13th national rank in 2023–24. This significant leap testifies to the state’s holistic approach towards socio-economic development.

Looking towards the future, the Chief Minister shared the vision encapsulated in “Mission Haryana@2047,” a long-term plan aimed at transforming Haryana into a one-trillion-dollar economy while generating 5 million new employment opportunities. Central to this transformative agenda are strategic initiatives including the establishment of a ‘Fund of Funds’ to stimulate the startup ecosystem, the creation of dedicated Innovation Hubs, and the launch of the Haryana AI Mission aimed at equipping 50,000 youth with skills in artificial intelligence. The government is also setting up a Department of the Future to anticipate and address governance challenges through innovation and strategic foresight.

Additionally, Haryana is taking a lead in youth empowerment through its planned SANKALP Authority, a dedicated platform focusing on youth guidance and drug de-addiction, thereby tackling two pressing issues with a future-ready mindset.

During the interaction, the Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Rajesh Khullar, emphasized the state’s substantial financial commitment to social welfare schemes, especially highlighting the expansion of health coverage through the Chirayu Haryana initiative. While the Ayushman Bharat scheme initially covered only 9 lakh families, the state’s own resources have enabled health benefits for an additional 32 lakh families, a significant stride that Khullar urged the Commission to duly consider when recommending central fund allocations. He further advocated for the introduction of State-Specific Grants to support states like Haryana, which actively scale up central welfare programs to broader sections of their population.

Khullar assured that the state government would soon submit a detailed memorandum outlining Haryana’s case for a fairer division of funds under centrally sponsored schemes. His remarks underscored a broader call for equitable fiscal federalism that rewards proactive and fiscally disciplined states.

The meeting was attended by 16th Finance Commission members including Annie George Mathew, Ajay Narayan Jha, Dr. Manoj Panda, and Dr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, along with Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, and Director General of the Department of Information, Public Relations, Language and Culture K.M. Pandurang, among other senior administrative officials.

As Haryana stakes its claim as a vanguard of India’s future growth, the state’s leaders have made it clear that the path forward will be paved not only with ambitious targets but also with pragmatic reforms, fiscal discipline, and an unwavering commitment to inclusive and sustainable development. With visionary plans such as “Mission Haryana@2047” gaining momentum, Haryana seems poised to be a key architect of India’s evolving economic and social landscape over the next two decades.

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The 16th Finance Commission, under the leadership of Dr. Arvind Panagariya, held a crucial meeting with Haryana’s Chief Minister Shri Nayab Singh Saini and senior state officials on Monday. The discussion revolved around Haryana’s financial management strategies and the future economic trajectory of the state, which plays a pivotal role in India’s economic landscape.

Shri Nayab Singh Saini, who also holds the finance portfolio, chaired the meeting with his cabinet colleagues, including Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Rastogi, Commissioner and Secretary of the Information, Public Relations, Language & Culture Department Dr. Amit Agarwal, and Director General of the Urban Local Bodies Department Shri Pankaj. The session offered a comprehensive overview of Haryana’s financial policies, economic achievements, and its vision for continued progress.

The Finance Commission was briefed on Haryana’s robust economic performance, including the state’s impressive Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY 2024–25, estimated at INR 6,77,033 crores. Notably, Haryana ranks second among major Indian states in per capita income at INR 3,53,182, showcasing its economic strength and growing prosperity.

The state’s commitment to agriculture was highlighted by the fact that Haryana is the first state in India to ensure the purchase of all crops at the Minimum Support Price (MSP), a testament to its focus on securing the livelihood of farmers.

The meeting also covered the state’s inclusive development efforts. Haryana’s commitment to poverty alleviation was evident as it has set an annual income threshold of INR 1.80 lakh to identify families below the poverty line. In the healthcare sector, Haryana has successfully covered 61.84% of its population, or approximately 47 lakh families, under the Ayushman Bharat and Chirayu health insurance schemes.

Despite receiving a smaller share from central funds, Haryana’s fiscal deficit and liabilities have remained within the targets set by the Finance Commission. Haryana also contributes significantly to the nation’s GST collections, ranking fifth in India’s total GST revenue generation. Notably, the state leads in per capita GST collections, underscoring its efficient tax administration system.

In terms of sustainable development, Haryana has made impressive strides. The state has advanced from the ‘Performer’ category to the ‘Front Runner’ category in the National Index of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), securing the 13th position nationwide for the year 2023–24.

Looking ahead, the 16th Finance Commission was briefed on Haryana’s ambitious plans under the “Mission Haryana@2047” initiative. The goal is to transform Haryana into a one-trillion-dollar economy by 2047, creating 50 million jobs in the process. Key strategies for achieving this vision include fostering a strong startup ecosystem, with the establishment of a ‘Fund of Funds’ and ‘Innovation Hubs.’

To further empower the state’s youth, Haryana plans to launch the ‘Sankalp Authority,’ aimed at youth guidance and drug de-addiction, alongside the establishment of the ‘Department of Future’ to address governance challenges and promote innovation. Additionally, the state’s forward-looking AI-focused initiatives include the creation of an ‘AI Hub’ under the ‘Haryana AI Mission,’ with plans to provide training to 50,000 youth.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, Haryana’s government continues to prioritize balanced, inclusive, and sustainable growth. The state’s robust economic performance, progressive reforms, and strategic investments make it a key driver in India’s development trajectory for the decades to come.

Shri Rajesh Khullar, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, also spoke about the critical need for adequate central funding to support Haryana’s welfare programs. He highlighted that while the Ayushman Bharat scheme initially covered only nine lakh families in Haryana, the state has expanded the coverage under the Chirayu Haryana scheme to an additional 32 lakh families, fully funding the extra coverage from its own resources.

He urged the Commission to consider the state’s initiatives when reviewing central fund allocations, emphasizing the need for states with large-scale welfare programs to receive state-specific grants. Khullar assured that Haryana will soon submit a detailed memorandum regarding the allocation of central funds for the state’s welfare schemes.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to driving Haryana’s economic success in the coming decades. With its strategic investments, focus on innovation, and commitment to inclusive development, Haryana is poised to become a major player in India’s economic future. The state’s proactive steps towards improving the welfare of its citizens and creating a sustainable, inclusive economy are setting the stage for long-term growth.

The discussions at the Finance Commission meeting highlighted not only the state’s current achievements but also its bold vision for a prosperous future, one that aligns with India’s national development goals.