AGENCY
NEW DELHI, Feb 20
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday that the UP Budget, released by the state finance minister, embodies the spirit of ‘priority to the deprived,’ dedicated to uplifting the poor, farmers, youth, and women in line with the vision of ‘Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah.’
He made this remark while addressing a press conference following the presentation of the Financial Year 2025-26 Budget in the Assembly by Finance Minister Suresh Khanna.
Detailing key features of the budget, the chief minister highlighted that by adopting Prime Minister Modi’s 5 Ts – Trade, Tourism, Technology, Tradition, and Talent – as a guiding mantra, Uttar Pradesh has transformed from a labor-driven state into a formidable economic powerhouse. “Once considered a BIMARU state, UP has emerged as a revenue-surplus state, setting new benchmarks in governance and development,” he added. Yogi Adityanath emphasized that Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state, has presented the largest budget among all Indian states. This marks the ninth consecutive budget under the leadership of PM Modi, reflecting the state’s commitment to sustained progress. “The transformative steps taken over the last eight years have yielded significant results, and this budget holds paramount importance for the future,” he said.
“As Uttar Pradesh celebrates the Amrit Mahotsav of the Constitution’s implementation and the state’s establishment-both milestones achieved in January 1950-this budget not only honors the past 75 years of development but also lays the foundation for the next 25 years, shaping UP’s trajectory toward unprecedented growth,” he stated. The chief minister highlighted several key initiatives under the UP Budget 2025-26, underscoring the government’s commitment to inclusive development and social welfare.
He announced that the state government is establishing a Baba Saheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar Memorial and Cultural Centre in Lucknow, which will serve as a hub for propagating his philosophy and advancing the constitutional principle of prioritizing the deprived. Additionally, a Sardar Patel District Economic Zone will be set up in every district over 100 acres under the PPP model to boost economic growth. The state will also establish 10 Sant Kabir Textile Parks and 2 Sant Ravidas Leather Parks on a PPP basis, promoting employment and industrial expansion.
Honoring former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birth centenary, libraries will be built in urban areas in his memory. The 150th anniversary of the UP Agriculture Department will be observed as “Seed Year,” with the establishment of a Seed Park at Attari Agricultural Field, Lucknow, in tribute to Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh, the champion of farmers, at a cost of Rs 251 crore.
“For the welfare of farmers, Mata Shabri Canteens and Rest Houses will be set up in every agricultural market, providing meals at subsidized rates.
Moreover, Rs 400 crore has been allocated for the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Yojana, ensuring merit-based scooty distribution to outstanding female students pursuing higher education,” the CM said.
In support of working women, hostels named after Mata Ahilyabai Holkar will be built in Varanasi, Meerut, Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Kanpur Nagar, Jhansi, and Agra, creating safe and affordable accommodation.
Calling this budget a reflection of UP’s strength and the commitment of the double-engine government, CM Yogi stated that Rs 2,25,561.49 crore has been allocated for capital expenditure, with a significant focus on infrastructure development. This investment will generate employment, accelerate economic growth, and solidify Uttar Pradesh’s position as a thriving economic powerhouse.
The budget includes Rs 28,478.31 crore for new initiatives, with Rs 1,79,131.04 crore-22% of the total budget-allocated for infrastructure development across energy, irrigation, industries, urban development, housing, and civil aviation. Additionally, Rs 1,06,360 crore (13% of the total budget) has been earmarked for education.
“We have proposed Rs 89,353 crore for agriculture and its allied sectors, which is 11% of the total budget. A **Rs 50,550 crore provision has been made for the medical sector, constituting 6% of the total budget,” he added.
He also announced that aligning with the Union Budget’s provisions, Cancer Day Care Centers will be set up in every district, ensuring accessible cancer treatment across the state.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath further unveiled major welfare initiatives under the UP Budget 2025-26 to ensure comprehensive social security and economic development.
The budget mandates Ayushman Bharat health coverage of Rs 5 lakh for various categories, including Home Guards, PRD personnel, Gram Chowkidars, Shiksha Mitras, Instructors of the Basic Education Department, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, ANMs, and all contractual sanitation workers. This coverage will be provided under the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana, ensuring better healthcare access for these frontline workers.
A provision of Rs 35,863 crore has been made for social welfare schemes, which will focus on backward classes, SC/ST development, women empowerment, and support for Divyangjan. Additionally, Rs 4,720 crore has been allocated for scholarships, Rs 900 crore for the marriage of underprivileged daughters, and Rs 13,648 crore for social pensions.
CM Yogi stated, “We have allocated Rs 1,050 crore for four new expressways in this budget. Additionally, Rs 700 crore has been proposed to construct two new bridges in Prayagraj.”
Development authorities and municipal bodies will construct convention centers at all divisional headquarters, and festival buildings for marriage celebrations and other social events will be constructed in gram panchayats.
The CM noted that about six crore people have been lifted out of poverty in UP. A Rs 250 crore provision has been made for the Zero Poverty Campaign in the 2025-26 budget. “Education, employment, and entrepreneurship are our government’s priorities,” he added.
Additionally, the minimum remuneration for personnel working on an outsourcing basis will be increased from Rs 16,000 per month to Rs 20,000 per month. A non-profit organization, Uttar Pradesh Outsource Service Corporation, will be formed to make the outsourcing process well-planned and transparent.
Revolutionary changes will be brought to the agriculture sector through an investment of Rs 4,000 crore, covering 26 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand under UP AGREES, CM Yogi informed.
With these strategic investments, the UP Budget 2025-26 aims to strengthen social security, infrastructure, economic development, and agricultural innovation, reinforcing Uttar Pradesh’s position as an emerging economic powerhouse, he pointed out.
