UP CM directs officials to accelerate budget expenditure, financial sanctions

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday directed officials to speed up the issuance of financial sanctions and ensure faster utilisation of funds allocated under the 2026-27 state budget.

Reviewing the budget provisions and expenditure of major departments, Adityanath said the first half of the financial year was nearing its end and called for immediate corrective measures wherever utilisation was below expectations.

The chief minister directed departments to issue 70 per cent of financial sanctions within the next two months and ensure expenditure of at least 60 per cent of their allocated budgets, the state government said.

The meeting, attended by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna, reviewed the financial and operational progress of 30 major departments that account for the largest budget allocations.

Adityanath said the objective of the budget was not merely to allocate funds but to ensure their timely utilisation and delivery of benefits to people.

He directed the finance minister to hold regular, point-by-point reviews of expenditure with departmental ministers.

Departments facing policy, procedural or technical hurdles in securing approvals or spending funds should be provided immediate solutions, he said, directing the Finance Department to monitor the progress and regularly update the Chief Minister's Office.

The chief minister also stressed the need to improve the credit-deposit ratio of banks to strengthen the rural economy.

He directed officials to ensure that every eligible farmer receives the benefits of the Kisan Credit Card scheme and ordered village-wise and farmer-wise mapping to identify eligible beneficiaries and link them with banking facilities.

He also asked officials to prepare a framework for events such as the 'Rural Credit Conclave' to improve the availability of credit in rural areas and strengthen the banking system.

On promoting local products, Adityanath directed the MSME Department to undertake branding and extensive promotion of Uttar Pradesh's GI-tagged products to expand their reach in domestic and international markets.

He stressed that there should be no compromise on the quality or timely completion of public welfare schemes and development projects.

In cases of unnecessary delays or substandard work, accountability should be fixed on the concerned agencies and responsible officials, the statement said.

During a review of centrally assisted schemes, Adityanath directed departments to ensure better coordination for programmes dependent on funds from the Centre.

He asked departmental ministers to communicate directly with their central counterparts to resolve issues related to pending funds and approvals so that implementation of centrally assisted schemes was not delayed.

The chief minister also directed heads of departments and senior officials to undertake regular field visits to review development works and take immediate corrective action wherever progress was slow.

He asked departments to meet their targets within the remaining months of the financial year.

"There will be no shortage of funds for schemes related to development and public welfare. However, it is the responsibility of the concerned departments to ensure the effective, transparent, and timely utilisation of the available budget," he said.