Akhilesh Yadav Dubs UP Budget 2026-27 as BJP's 'Farewell' Financial Plan
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has launched a scathing critique of the Uttar Pradesh Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, labeling it the BJP's "last and farewell" budget. In a detailed analysis, Yadav presented statistics to argue that the government has failed to spend even half of the previous budget allocations in crucial sectors, contributing to Uttar Pradesh's per capita income remaining the second lowest in India, trailing only Bihar.
Budget Spending Deficiencies Exposed
Akhilesh Yadav emphasized that the growing size of the budget becomes meaningless if allocated funds remain unspent at the year's end. He highlighted alarming spending shortfalls in key areas:
- Agriculture Sector: Only 57% of the total allocation was spent in the current fiscal year.
- Rural Development: Merely 36% of the budget was utilized.
- Animal Husbandry: Just 60% of allocated funds were expended.
- Health Sector: Only 58% of the budget was spent.
- Women Welfare: A mere 53% of allocation was utilized.
Yadav pointed out that the remainder of these funds was left unspent, questioning the government's commitment to development.
Per Capita Income Concerns and Economic Goals
Taking aim at the BJP government for presenting per capita income figures in isolation, Akhilesh Yadav revealed that Uttar Pradesh's per capita income stands as the second lowest among all states, only ahead of Bihar. He challenged the government to disclose the per capita income of millions of poor citizens receiving free ration, stating, "I can guarantee the government will not give these figures."
Regarding the ambitious goal of achieving a 1 trillion-dollar economy, Yadav questioned the feasibility, noting that Uttar Pradesh's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) needs to reach Rs 90 lakh crore with a 30% growth rate. "Since it is the last Budget, how will the BJP government achieve this goal of a 1 trillion-dollar economy?" he asked, casting doubt on the government's long-term planning.
Investment Claims and Ground Realities
Akhilesh Yadav accused the government of misleading claims in the budget speech, particularly regarding Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 50 lakh crore. He argued that the government consistently avoids discussing actual investment implementation. "If we go by the statistics of the government and those of Invest UP, this government has been able to bring a total investment of Rs 1 lakh crore in the past 10 years, and even this investment is not visible on ground," he stated, highlighting a significant gap between promises and reality.
Unaddressed Issues: Farmers, Unemployment, and MSMEs
The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister criticized the budget for being directionless on critical issues. He questioned the government's silence on its 2017 promise to double farmers' income and noted that the budget fails to address unemployment, leaving youth disappointed and hopeless. Yadav also highlighted the potential impact of trade deals with the US on farmers, lamenting that the budget makes no provisions to address their concerns.
Regarding industries, Akhilesh Yadav pointed out that approximately 82 lakh Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the state remain unregistered, preventing them from accessing government scheme benefits. He criticized the budget for lacking provisions to address these MSMEs, undermining economic growth.
Health Sector Neglect and Infrastructure Questions
Akhilesh Yadav detailed what he described as the "sorry state of affairs in the health sector," citing incidents like the Codeine drug racket and adulterated Liv-52 tablets that disproportionately affect the poor. He accused the government of turning a blind eye to such rackets. Additionally, he questioned the budget allocations for the two AIIMS institutions in Uttar Pradesh, asking, "How much has the government allocated for the two AIIMS in UP?" This underscores concerns about healthcare infrastructure and funding.
In summary, Akhilesh Yadav's critique paints a picture of a budget he views as inadequate, with poor spending execution, unfulfilled promises, and neglect of key sectors, positioning it as a potential farewell note for the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh.
