Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday presented a tax-free Rs 2.05 lakh crore budget for 2025-26, making various announcements including earmarking Rs 5,000 crore for ‘Lado Lakshmi Yojana’ and setting up an authority to tackle drug abuse.

Presenting the budget in the state Assembly, Saini said he received around 11,000 suggestions from various sections regarding the state budget. Saini did not impose any fresh tax in the budget.

Saini, who holds the finance portfolio, said the budget envisages an outlay of Rs 2,05,017.29 crore for 2025-26, up 13.70 per cent from revised estimates of 2024-25.

Key Highlights of Haryana Budget 2025-26:

  1. Total Budget Outlay: Rs 2.05 lakh crore budget, marking a 13.70% increase from the previous year’s revised estimates. No new taxes imposed.
  2. Focus on Women’s Welfare: Lado Lakshmi Yojana: Rs 5,000 crore allocated for providing Rs 2,100 monthly assistance to women under this scheme.
  3. Drug Abuse and Substance Control: Establishment of Substance Abuse and Narcotics Knowledge Awareness and Liberation Programme Authority with Rs 10 crore to combat drug abuse among the youth.
  4. Department of Future: A new “Department of Future” will be created to ensure Haryana is “future capable” through innovative policies.
  5. AI and Startup Promotion: Haryana AI Mission with a World Bank assistance of Rs 474 crore to create AI hubs in Gurugram and Panchkula. Promotion of startups through a Rs 2,000 crore Fund of Funds to attract private investment.
  6. Employment and Skill Development: Haryana Overseas Employment Cell to provide international employment opportunities. Strengthening Haryana Skill and Employment Corporation to improve job creation.
  7. Agriculture and Horticulture: New Horticulture Research Centre to be established in Palwal.
  8. Subsidy Hikes: Increase in subsidy under Mera Pani Meri Virasat Yojana from Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per acre for farmers who give up paddy cultivation. Direct sowing of paddy subsidy increased from Rs 4,000 to Rs 4,500 per acre. Paddy straw management subsidy increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,200 per acre. Establishment of three new Centres of Excellence for litchi, strawberry, and date palm in Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Hisar.
  9. Support for Women Farmers: Interest-free loan of Rs 1 lakh to women farmers engaged in dairy farming, horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
  10. Sports Development: Launch of Khiladi Bima Yojana to provide up to Rs 20 lakh medical coverage for national medal winners and international participants. Five new Sports Excellence Centres in state universities. Mission Olympics 2036 Vijayi Bhava with Rs 20 crore allocated to train athletes with a goal of winning 36 medals in the 2036 Olympics.
  11. Welfare of Cows: A new cow sanctuary to be built in every district. Rs 5 crore grant for constructing 51 sheds in registered cow shelters.
  12. Combatting Illegal Migration: A bill will be introduced to curb the illegal ‘donkey route’ pathway used for migration to America.