Finance Minister Jagdish Devda is scheduled to deliver his seventh budget speech at 11 a.m. in the Bhopal assembly. The document will outline allocations for the coming fiscal year and a broader three-year blueprint intended to guide policy priorities through 2028.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said the plan would introduce what he described as a “unique innovation” in state budgeting by combining an annual financial statement with a forward-looking development framework. According to him, the approach aims to give departments clearer spending targets and timelines while signalling long-term priorities to investors.
Public expectations ahead of the budget remain high. Youth groups are pressing for employment measures, with officials indicating that up to 50,000 jobs could be generated through industrial and agro-processing initiatives. Farmers are seeking higher direct-benefit support under existing assistance schemes, while beneficiaries of social welfare programs are anticipating increased allocations.
The government also faces tight deadlines for infrastructure projects linked to the 2028 Simhasth religious gathering, most of which must be completed during the 2026–27 financial year. State officials note that the absence of a dedicated central allocation in the Union budget has increased pressure on state finances to fund preparatory works.
On Tuesday, Devda finalized budget details with Additional Chief Secretary Manish Rastogi and finance department officials after customary pre-budget consultations. He is expected to perform traditional prayers before heading to the assembly.
Opposition leaders questioned the government’s claims. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar alleged the document would recycle existing programs without delivering tangible relief to farmers, marginalized communities or backward classes. The Bharatiya Janata Party government, he said, has failed to meet its promise of substantially raising farm incomes.
The finance minister also tabled a supplementary budget of ₹19,287 crore for the current fiscal year, scheduled for discussion on February 23 alongside the Economic Survey. The ongoing session of the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly will continue until March 6, during which lawmakers will debate the proposals and spending priorities.
Policy analysts say the budget’s balance between fiscal discipline and welfare spending will determine whether the state can sustain growth while managing its rising debt burden.
