New power company for farmers, revival of credit societies: CM Saini presents Haryana Budget with focus on rural growth

The fiscal deficit has risen by 2.75 per cent from 2014 to 2024, while during the previous government’s tenure, it increased by as much as 44 per cent, he said. Also, losses from government undertakings have decreased threefold, Saini claimed.

Strengthening rural economy

The Haryana Budget 2026-27 introduces a major overhaul for primary agricultural credit societies (PACS). Currently, only 33 out of 804 PACS are profitable, and the government aims to bring 300 PACS into profit by diversifying their operations to include petrol pumps. Seminars will be organised in industrial training institutes (ITIs), and government works worth Rs 4,000 crore will be carried out through them.

Gram sabha meetings will now be mandated to discuss six issues: development, de-addiction, drinking water, sanitation, solid waste management, and maintenance inspections. MLAs are now permitted to participate in these grassroots meetings.

Another significant highlight is the creation of a third power distribution company, Haryana Agri DISCOM, specifically designed to cater to the farming community. This dedicated utility will manage 5,084 agricultural feeders, ensuring uninterrupted power for 7.12 lakh consumers. Through this, tubewell connections will be provided to farmers. Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (HBVN) and Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) are the other two existing distribution companies in the state.

On the healthcare front, the ‘Har Nari, Swasth Nari’ scheme will see the establishment of dedicated clinics in every district. Furthermore, the state will launch a massive drive to vaccinate 3 lakh 14-year-old girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) to combat cervical cancer.

CM Saini announced that under the AI Mission, 1 lakh youth will receive training. He highlighted that proposals from four departments have been prioritised in this initiative. Furthermore, each department will allocate a portion of its upcoming budget to women and another to senior citizens.

Rs 500 crore fund for old industrial areas

Saini said the government has taken significant steps to improve conditions in industrial areas in the erstwhile Punjab state, specifically in Sonipat, Hisar, Ambala City, Yamunanagar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, Nilokheri, Bahadurgarh, Barwala, and Panipat.

These industrial zones were initially under the industries department but were later transferred to the Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC). Since they fall within municipal limits, they are experiencing infrastructure issues.

To address the concerns of industrialists, the government has announced the establishment of a special fund of Rs 500 crore for the 2026–27 fiscal year, named ‘Saksham’. The aim of this fund is to enhance infrastructure in targeted cities, promote industrial activities, and strengthen the local economy. This initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting and developing the industrial sector.

Saini said that building on the example set by former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, he held meetings in Gurgaon with various segments of society to discuss the budget. Over 2,000 suggestions were received during these meetings, along with additional input through emails and letters. Each of these suggestions was thoroughly discussed. Of these, approximately 5,000 suggestions have been incorporated into the budget, including 12 specific proposals.

The 12 major Haryana Budget announcements

1. Haryana Agri DISCOM: A new power utility dedicated exclusively to the farming sector.
2. PACS revitalisation: Target to make 300 PACS profitable; Rs 4,000 crore work for labour societies.
3. Green energy shift: Govt buildings and cow shelters to be converted to solar/non-conventional energy.
4. Urban infrastructure: A special Rs 500 crore fund for development in 10 major cities.
5.  Adarsh exam centres: PPP-model exam centres in every constituency; first to open by December 25.
6. Green fund: Establishment of Haryana Green Climate Resilience Fund with Rs 100 crore.
7. Women’s health: HPV vaccination for 3 lakh girls; ‘Swasth Nari’ clinics in all sub-districts.
8.  AI Mission: AI Innovation Challenge in May 2026; 1 lakh youth to be trained in AI.
9.  Make in Haryana: Employment subsidy hiked from Rs 48,000 to Rs 1 lakh per employee/year
10. Unskilled labour: Revision and increase of minimum wages for the 2026–27 fiscal year.
11. Yamuna Mission: A CM-led mission to completely eliminate pollution in the Yamuna River.
12. Hansi district: Hansi to be officially declared as the state’s 23rd district, to be an ultra-modern model.

Sector-wise proposals in Haryana Budget

Education and skill development

• Infrastructure: 250 schools to be upgraded to CM (EEE) Model Schools; Rs 200 crore allocated to provide double desks in all government schools by November 1, 2026.
• Shift optimisation: 25 schools in districts like Nuh, Faridabad, and Sonipat will move from double to single shifts.
• STEM & tech: Launch of a virtual AI and digital college; 250 schools to get Atal Tinkering Labs (Rs 25 crore).
• Global exposure: 100 Class 11 STEM students to go on international visits; 100 teachers to be trained in German and Japanese.
• Higher education: Four new government polytechnics to be established; Rs 10 crore fund for research excellence and lab upgrades.
• Sports and welfare: Rs 1 lakh each for sports ground development in 3,328 schools; ‘Veer Bal Memorial’ insurance providing up to Rs 5 lakh for accidental death/disability.
• Super 100: Capacity increased from 400 to 500 seats following high JEE Mains success rates.

Agriculture and farmers’ welfare

• Land and crop diversification: 1.40 lakh acres of saline land to be reclaimed; Rs 2,000 per acre bonus for shifting from paddy to pulses, oilseeds, or cotton.
• Subsidies: Incentive for indigenous cotton hiked to Rs 4,000/acre; single-eye bud sugarcane sowing incentive raised to Rs 5,000/acre.
• Export and organic support: Rs 10,000 per acre annual subsidy for APEDA-certified farmers; dedicated organic selling spaces in 10 district mandis.
• Horticulture insurance: Compensation increased to Rs 50,000/acre (fruits) and Rs 40,000/acre (vegetables); beekeeping now covered under insurance.
• Market access: Establishment of ‘Gramin Haat Mandis’ for direct-to-consumer sales.

Animal husbandry and fisheries

• Dairy and milk: Two new 5-lakh-litre milk plants in Rewari and Ambala (Rs 600 crore total); 2,000 new Vita Booths with 20 per cent reservation for women’s self-help groups.
• Veterinary care: Seven new dispensaries and four hospitals; a Rs 30-crore veterinary epidemiology centre in Hisar.
• Fisheries: New testing labs in Yamunanagar, Rohtak, and Faridabad; Rs 100-crore fish markets in Hisar and Faridabad; modernisation of Jyotisar/Sampla seed farms.
• Food safety: Eight new food testing labs and an NABL-certified lab in Karnal.

Urban infrastructure and water management

• Sanitation: 150 km of new sewerage lines to be laid in urban areas.
• Water conservation: 100 per cent of recycled wastewater to be used for non-consumptive purposes by December 2028.
• Rural supply: Under the Mahagram Yojana, water supply in 10 villages will jump from 55 to 135 litres per person per day.
• Quality control: 44 water tanks across five districts (including Hisar) to be converted to RCC lining to improve drinking water quality.

Industry and entrepreneurship

• ‘Land on lease’ policy: HSIIDC will implement a new leasing model for industrial plots in 2026–27, allowing long-term leases with an eventual option to convert to freehold.
• Infrastructure for startups: Development of ready-to-move factories and sheds with “plug-and-play” facilities to ensure immediate operationalisation for new units.
• Regulatory ease: Introduction of a land feasibility certificate system, providing investors with digital clearance within 45 working days.
• Common industrial secretariats: Single-window hubs comprising all related departments will be established in Faridabad, Gurgaon, Manesar, and Rewari to eliminate inter-departmental delays.
• Relief for plot holders: The construction deadline for over 500 HSIIDC plot holders facing post-Covid difficulties has been extended to December 31, 2026, preventing land resumption.
• New industrial policies: Finalised drafts for semiconductor, pharmaceutical and medical Device, toys and sports equipment, and animation/gaming) policies.

Industrial model townships

• Expansion: Land acquisition has commenced for new IMTs in Ambala and Naraingarh.
• New proposals: Farmers have been invited via the e-Bhoomi portal to provide land for the development of 5 additional IMTs in Tosham, Jind, Rewari, Faridabad, and Rai.

Sports and youth empowerment

• Infrastructure surge: 21 new sports stadiums will be constructed across 12 districts, including Jhajjar, Gurugram, Rohtak, and Sonipat.
• Para sports milestone: The Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex in Daulatabad will be upgraded into Haryana’s first international-standard para sports stadium.
• Mission Olympic 2036: Launch of a state-wide scientific talent identification drive and the appointment of international-level coaches to enhance medal prospects.
• District-level facilities: Every district will receive one synthetic athletic track and one Khelo India Mini Centre, to be managed by former champion athletes.
• Fit Haryana campaign: A mega fitness and healthy lifestyle campaign to be officially launched by September 30.