CHANDIGARH, March 17 — Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday issued a robust defense of the state’s 2026-27 budget, asserting that the fiscal plan incorporates 5,000 public suggestions to transform Haryana into a developed state. Addressing the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister criticized opposition members for engaging in “criticism for the sake of criticism” while failing to provide constructive input for their constituencies.
A major highlight of the discussion was the ₹100 crore provision for the construction of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal. Saini stated that his government is fighting the legal battle for the canal with full determination, contrasting the current allocation with the ₹10 lakh provisions made during the previous Congress tenure. He maintained that the state has successfully protected its interests in decades-old disputes, including the resolution of the Haryana Telecom Limited matter which saw long-pending dues deposited into the state exchequer.
“The unemployment rate in Haryana stands at 5.0 percent, which is significantly lower than neighboring states like Punjab and Rajasthan,” Saini affirmed, citing data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. He also declared a personal guarantee for the ‘Lado Lakshmi Yojana,’ stating that the ₹6,500 crore provision would be augmented through supplementary budgets if necessary.
The Chief Minister also addressed administrative integrity, noting that high-level inquiries are underway regarding discrepancies in construction worker registrations. He affirmed that several officials, including labor inspectors and village secretaries, have already been suspended as part of the investigation. Saini noted that the state’s excise revenue has grown fivefold under the current tenure, reaching over ₹14,000 crore through transparent e-tendering.
