Budget 2026: Haryana seeks higher allocations for infra, agriculture and medical education; pushes RIDF, UIDF cap hikes

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday urged the Centre to step up allocations for the state’s rural and urban infrastructure, agriculture and allied sectors in the Union Budget for FY27, citing growing development needs and the state’s proximity to the national capital, PTI reported.Saini, who also holds the finance portfolio, raised the demands at the pre-Budget meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman with finance ministers of states and Union Territories, according to an official Haryana government statement.The chief minister sought an increase in the general allocation under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) to Rs 2,000 crore in 2026-27, saying this was necessary to sustain the momentum of rural development. He also flagged constraints under the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF), arguing that the current Rs 100 crore cap on project size was limiting execution of large urban projects, and proposed that the ceiling be raised to Rs 500 crore.Saini thanked the Centre for continuing the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme and sought higher untied allocations for Haryana, along with relaxations in utilisation conditions, citing the state’s special requirements due to its location in the National Capital Region (NCR).He said the upcoming Budget would further pave the way for Haryana’s progress and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to contributing towards making India a developed nation by 2047.Highlighting Haryana’s agrarian profile, Saini said the state ranks second in the country in foodgrain production and is known as the breadbasket of India. He said around six lakh acres of land are affected by salinity and waterlogging, and sought central financial assistance to prevent further damage.He also underlined the need for modernising agriculture through digital agriculture, micro-irrigation, agri-logistics and value addition, adding that agri-processing clusters and MSMEs could become engines of rural prosperity.On the social sector, Saini said Haryana plans to open a medical college in every district, for which substantial support under centrally sponsored schemes would be required. He also sought higher assistance for social security pensions, noting that over 44 lakh people in the state receive such benefits.The chief minister said Haryana’s NCR region is being developed as a logistics hub, requiring higher central capital investment to improve connectivity and time-bound movement of goods. Stressing the importance of entrepreneurship, he said Haryana ranks fourth nationally in startups and is setting up a Rs 2,000 crore Fund of Funds to support them.He added that the state is developing 10 new Industrial Model Townships (IMTs) to boost MSMEs and attract investment, for which additional central assistance is needed.Saini also emphasised the importance of human capital, calling for greater focus on education, health and skills, particularly in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, green technology and biotechnology.