Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, on the eleventh day of the Vidhan Sabha’s budget session on Thursday, took a sharp dig at the Opposition, accusing them of spreading misleading statements regarding the state's debt. He said that the Opposition first misleads citizens, creates unnecessary panic, and then pretends to care about them.
Saini clarified that personal, agricultural, and industrial loans, cited by the Opposition, are not part of the government’s debt. According to the 2025-26 budget estimates, Haryana's total debt liability stands at Rs 3,52,819 crore, constituting 26.18 percent of the GSDP, well within the 15th Finance Commission’s limit of 32.5 percent.
Refuting the Opposition’s claim that every citizen bears Rs two lakh debt, Saini challenged them to present even five individuals who have received bank calls for repaying a loan taken by the state government. He asserted that any debt taken by the government is repaid by the government itself.
The Chief Minister highlighted that his government is working at “triple speed” to reduce the revenue deficit, which will be below one percent by 2025-26. He contrasted this with the Congress regime, which had a 1.90 percent revenue deficit in 2014-15, while his tenure has brought it down to 1.09 percent in the last fiscal year. The fiscal deficit, he added, remains within the three percent limit, estimated at 2.68 percent for 2024-25 and 2.67 percent for 2025-26.
Saini dismissed allegations that state public enterprises’ loans are included in government debt figures, stating that opposition leaders deliberately mislead people. He pointed out that in 2014-15, the debt of public enterprises stood at Rs 69,922 crore, which his government reduced to Rs 68,295 crore by 2023-24. The debt-to-GSDP ratio of these enterprises dropped from 16 percent in 2014-15 to just 5.6 percent in 2023-24 due to strict financial control.
Saini dismissed concerns over budget cuts, emphasizing that key sectors have witnessed significant budget increases over the years. The health sector saw an increase from Rs 2,368 crore (3.82 percent of the total budget) in 2014-15 to Rs 10,540 crore (5.14 percent) in 2025-26. Agriculture and allied sectors grew from Rs 2,058 crore (3.32 percent) in 2014-15 to Rs 8,315 crore (4.05 percent) in 2025-26, while rural development and panchayat funding rose from Rs 1,831 crore (2.95 percent) to Rs 7,314 crore (3.56 percent) in the same period. The social welfare sector saw a jump from Rs 3,149 crore (5.09 percent) in 2014-15 to Rs 16,651 crore (8.12 percent) in 2025-26. The industry and commerce sector, which received Rs 129 crore in 2014-15, has been allocated Rs 1,848 crore in 2025-26, marking a 14-fold increase. Similarly, the sports and youth welfare sector budget has grown from Rs 155 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 590 crore in 2025-26, a four-fold increase.
Refuting allegations that state power utilities (DISCOMs) owe Rs 46,193 crore to government departments, Saini clarified that the actual outstanding dues as of 2021 were only Rs 461.93 crore. Currently, the government owes just Rs 383 crore to DHBVN and UHBVN, significantly lower than the Rs 663 crore left by Congress when it went out of power. He also noted that the loan burden on DISCOMs has been slashed from Rs 34,600 crore under Congress to Rs 19,326 crore due to efficient financial management.
Saini unveiled 11 key initiatives aimed at Haryana’s long-term growth. These include the establishment of a Department of the Future along with a Rs 2,000 crore Fund of Funds to support startups, and the creation of a ‘Sankalp’ Authority to combat drug abuse. The government will set up a Mission Haryana 2047 Task Force for long-term planning and introduce a bill against counterfeit seeds and pesticides to protect farmers. Rural development will be strengthened with the construction of Mahila Chaupals in villages and the establishment of one Gau Abhyaranya (Cow Sanctuary) in every district. The state will also focus on economic reforms, including the regularization of unauthorized industrial colonies and the opening of a Government Model College in every district. Welfare initiatives include a Divyangjan Fund to ensure free bus travel for differently-abled persons, the Lado Lakshmi Yojana for women’s welfare, and a commitment to no new taxes or fee hikes despite significant welfare spending.
Saini asserted that this budget is not just a financial plan but a reflection of the people's trust. He called the number 11 auspicious, pointing out that he is the 11th Chief Minister, presenting the 11th budget of the BJP government.
The Rs 5,000 crore provision for the Lado Lakshmi Yojana is a testament to the government's commitment to women's welfare, he said. The effective capital outlay for 2025-26 stands at Rs 30,126 crore (14.69 percent of the total budget), covering capital assets, grants, and infrastructure repairs.
Hooda accuses BJP Govt of running away from releasing white paper on debt
Former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda accused the BJP led State Government of completely drowning Haryana in debt. “Why is the government running away from releasing the white paper despite repeated demands,” he questioned, stating, “If the white paper comes out, all the fake figures and claims of the government will be exposed”.
“BJP has put the State in a debt of Rs 5,16,007 crore. From 1966 to 2013-14, the state had a debt of only Rs 60,000 crore, but today only the internal debt has increased to Rs 3,52,819. If we talk about the total debt, it has become Rs 5,16,007 crores including Rs 48,000 crores of small savings, Rs 68,995 crores of public sector enterprises and Rs 46193 crores of other liabilities and pending bills,” he said.
Govt to take steps for certification, packaging, marketing of natural farming products: Minister
Replying to a calling attention motion on 'Importance of Natural Farming', Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana informed the House that the State Government is focusing on awareness and training programmes for farmers and officials in the first phase of Natural Farming Scheme. In the second phase, it will take comprehensive steps for certification, branding or packaging and marketing of natural farming products. Besides, the State Government will link HAFED and Haryana Agro Industries Corporation (HAIC) with Farmer Producer Organizations/Natural Farming Groups to help farmers get better price for their natural produce.
46 new de-addiction centres to be opened
Responding to a query by INLD MLA Arjun Chautala, Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said that 46 new de-addiction centres will be opened across the state to help the youth to overcome drug addiction. “I myself will monitor the de-addiction centres to ensure they provide necessary facilities as required,” she said. Over the past five years, 14,621 young people have been freed from addiction, and government’s efforts in this regard will continue, she added. At present, 130 de-addiction centres are operating in the state, including private, government and semi-government centres.
Doctor’s 777 sanctioned posts Vacant in State
Rao, responding to a question asked by Congress Julana MLA Vinesh Phogat, said that at present, there is some shortage of doctors in the state. Out of 3969 sanctioned posts of Medical Officers, 3192 are filled and 777 are vacant. In Community Health Centre Julana, four doctors are appointed against eight sanctioned posts. She informed that on March 8, 2025, appointment letters have been issued to 561 newly-appointed medical officers by the department and they will be given stations soon. This will help in meeting the shortage of medical officers, she added.
Assembly to organize seminar on natural farming
Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan informed the House that a seminar on natural farming will be organized for all the members in the Assembly. “Natural farming is the need of the hour and many farmers are doing very commendable work in it. There is a need to create a supportive environment for natural farming and called for active participation from representatives at all levels, including Panchayat level, Block Committee, District Council, MLAs and MPs,” he said.
Kalyan said that the government also introduces many schemes from time to time to promote natural farming. Public representatives can help farmers understand the difference between chemical-based and natural farming more effectively. He said elected representatives should engage with farmers through meetings and small groups in their respective areas to make a meaningful contribution.
