MP unveils ambitious ₹4.21 lakh cr budget for welfare, industry & development
2 min read
K K Jha
Bhopal: In a strategic push for growth and welfare, Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister Jagdish Devda presented a ₹4.21 lakh crore budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking a 15% increase over the previous year’s ₹3.65 lakh crore outlay. The budget prioritizes social welfare, industrial expansion, and infrastructure development without introducing new taxes, reflecting a balanced approach to economic growth and financial prudence.
A major focus is on welfare and social upliftment, with ₹47,296 crore allocated for Scheduled Tribes, ₹32,633 crore for Scheduled Castes, and ₹18,669 crore for the Mukhya Mantri Laadli Behna Yojana, which supports eligible women with monthly financial assistance.
Education and skill development have been prioritized, with enhanced funding to improve school infrastructure, digital learning resources, vocational training, and a focus on integrating the National Education Policy (NEP) into the curriculum. The budget also outlines plans for 39 new industrial zones across 14,500 acres, expected to generate over three lakh employment opportunities. Additionally, a five-year incentive plan worth ₹30,000 crore aims to attract industrial investment.
Omkareshwar Lok, Ram Path Gaman to be developed
Funds have been allocated for developing Omkareshwar Lok, Ram Path Gaman, and Chitrakoot to promote cultural and religious tourism. Agriculture and rural development receive additional support through expanded irrigation projects, improved technology access, and subsidies. Infrastructure expansion is another key focus, with investments in highways, rural roads, and healthcare facilities, particularly in rural and tribal regions.
The budget projects a fiscal deficit of ₹78,902 crore, constituting 4.66% of the state’s GSDP. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav hailed the budget as a reflection of Madhya Pradesh’s rapid economic growth, noting its remarkable rise from ₹20,000 crore in 2003 to ₹4.21 lakh crore today. By blending welfare-driven policies with industrial advancement and infrastructure growth, the budget aims to position Madhya Pradesh as a model of inclusive and sustainable development.
