Bhopal witnessed a historic moment as Madhya Pradesh Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda unveiled the state’s largest-ever budget of Rs 4.65 lakh crore on Wednesday, the third day of the assembly’s budget session. True to its promises, the Mohan Yadav government has crafted this financial blueprint without imposing any new taxes on the public, prioritizing empowerment for youth, farmers, and women.
Madhya Pradesh boasts a youthful demographic, with nearly 28% of its population aged 15-29 and 62% between 15-59. To harness this potential, the budget allocates massive recruitment drives: 22,500 positions in the state police and 19,000 in anganwadi centers. Job fairs paired with skill-building initiatives are set to connect thousands of young people with employment opportunities, signaling a robust push towards youth employment.
Farmers, the backbone of the state’s economy, receive special attention. Finance Minister Devda declared 2026 as the ‘Kisan Kalyan Varsh’ (Farmers’ Welfare Year), underscoring a commitment to agricultural prosperity. Madhya Pradesh leads the nation in orange, tomato, coriander, and garlic production, ranks second in vegetables and flowers, and cultivates 670 lakh tonnes of foodgrains across 213 lakh hectares. With the highest grain storage capacity in India at over 431 lakh tonnes, the state is doubling down on value addition in horticulture, animal husbandry, and fisheries.
Under central and state schemes, farmers get Rs 12,000 annually—Rs 6,000 each from PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and CM Kisan Kalyan Yojana. Organic and natural farming gets a major thrust, promising sustainable growth.
For the underprivileged, including 21% Scheduled Tribes and 16% Scheduled Castes, the budget emphasizes holistic upliftment. Women’s empowerment shines through: Ladli Laxmi Yojana 2.0 enhances support from birth to marriage, while Ladli Behna Yojana benefits 1.25 crore women with Rs 1,500 monthly, backed by over Rs 23,000 crore. PM Matru Vandana Yojana has registered 51.76 lakh beneficiaries.
Infrastructure leaps forward with hybrid annuity models for roads and bridges. By 2025-26, 1,500 km of new PM Gram Sadak Yojana roads and 7,000 km upgrades are targeted, alongside ‘Har Ghar Nal’ for clean water to rural homes. This budget isn’t just numbers—it’s a roadmap for inclusive, prosperous Madhya Pradesh.