As preparations for the Union Budget gather momentum, Haryana has firmly placed its development priorities before the Centre. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, participating in the pre-budget meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi, outlined a comprehensive roadmap for Haryana’s growth, stressing the need for enhanced central assistance to sustain and accelerate the state’s development trajectory.
Addressing the meeting attended by finance ministers of states and Union Territories, the Chief Minister said that the upcoming Union Budget has the potential to further strengthen Haryana’s role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. He emphasized that Haryana, despite its relatively small geographical size, continues to play a vital role in the national economy and requires focused financial support to meet its expanding developmental needs.
Agriculture at the Core of Haryana’s Economy
Highlighting Haryana’s position as one of India’s leading agricultural states, the Chief Minister drew attention to the serious challenge posed by waterlogging and salinity affecting nearly six lakh acres of farmland. He urged the Centre to extend financial assistance to protect this land from further degradation, warning that failure to address the issue could adversely impact agricultural productivity and farmer incomes.
He also underlined the urgent need to modernise agriculture through digital platforms, micro-irrigation systems, improved agri-logistics, and value-added processing. According to him, linking farmers directly with markets and integrating agriculture with MSMEs and agri-processing clusters can transform rural areas into engines of economic growth.
Expanding Medical Education and Healthcare Infrastructure
Healthcare and medical education formed another key pillar of Haryana’s budget demands. The Chief Minister informed the meeting that the state government plans to establish a medical college in every district to expand access to quality medical education and healthcare services. However, he made it clear that achieving this ambitious goal would require substantial support under centrally sponsored schemes.
Strengthening district-level healthcare infrastructure, he said, would not only address regional disparities but also reduce pressure on major urban hospitals and improve health outcomes across rural and semi-urban areas.
NCR as a Logistics and Industrial Hub
With Haryana’s strategic location around the National Capital Region, the state is positioning itself as a major logistics hub. The Chief Minister stressed that enhanced central capital investment in NCR-linked logistics infrastructure would significantly improve connectivity, reduce supply chain costs, and ensure faster movement of goods to major markets across the country.
He also pointed out that MSMEs and startups are critical drivers of economic growth. Haryana currently ranks among the top states in India’s startup ecosystem. To further boost entrepreneurship, the state plans to establish a fund of funds worth ₹2,000 crore and develop ten new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs). These initiatives, he said, would attract large-scale private investment and generate employment, but would require additional financial support from the Centre.
Strengthening Rural Development and Social Security
The Chief Minister strongly advocated for increased allocations for rural development. He proposed raising the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund allocation to ₹2,000 crore in the next financial year to meet growing infrastructure demands in villages. He also called for an increase in the project size limit under the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund from ₹100 crore to ₹500 crore, stating that the existing cap often restricts the execution of large-scale projects.
Emphasising social welfare, he noted that Haryana currently provides social security pensions to over 44 lakh beneficiaries. Given the scale of this commitment, he sought enhanced financial assistance to ensure that welfare schemes remain sustainable and inclusive.
Investing in Human Capital for the Future
Looking beyond immediate infrastructure needs, the Chief Minister stressed that human capital development must remain at the heart of India’s growth strategy. He called for greater investment in education, skill development, and healthcare, describing them as the backbone of a developed nation.
He highlighted emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, green technology, and biotechnology as future growth drivers, and urged the Centre to support skill development initiatives aligned with these industries.
Haryana’s Contribution to the National Economy
Presenting key economic indicators, the Chief Minister noted that Haryana contributes 3.7 percent to India’s GDP and remains one of the leading states in tax collection. The state ranks first in per capita GST collection and contributes over 7 percent to the country’s total GST revenue. Haryana has also recorded strong growth in state GST collections during the current financial year, reflecting the robustness of its economy.
Hope for a Growth-Oriented Budget
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that Haryana’s demands would receive due consideration in the Union Budget. He said that timely and adequate financial support would enable the state to accelerate development across agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, industry, and human capital.
As Haryana positions itself for the future, the state’s leadership has made it clear that sustained cooperation between the Centre and the state will be crucial to ensure balanced growth and shared prosperity for its people.
