Madhya Pradesh Prepares to Present Budget 2026-27 Amid Rising Debt and Growth Projections
The government of Madhya Pradesh is poised to present its Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 on Wednesday, with Finance Minister Jagdish Devda scheduled to deliver his speech in the State Assembly at 11 am. This crucial financial blueprint comes at a time of significant economic activity and public anticipation.
Pre-Budget Financial Moves and Economic Indicators
Just one day before the Budget presentation, the state government formally sought a loan of Rs 5,600 crore to address its immediate expenditure requirements. This financial request coincides with the tabling of the state's Economic Survey in the Assembly on Tuesday by Finance Minister Devda.
The Economic Survey presents a mixed picture of Madhya Pradesh's fiscal health. On one hand, it projects an encouraging growth rate of 8.04% for the state economy. On the other hand, it reveals that the state's total debt has escalated to a substantial Rs 4.90 lakh crore. This debt figure notably exceeds the total Budget size of Rs 4.21 lakh crore allocated for the previous financial year 2025-26.
In response to the rising debt concerns highlighted in the report, authorities emphasized that the amount borrowed by the state government in any given year has consistently remained within the limits prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India. Additionally, the Assembly passed a supplementary Budget to accommodate additional expenses for the current financial year, demonstrating the government's ongoing fiscal adjustments.
Citizen Expectations: From Employment to Elderly Care
Ahead of the Budget announcement, ordinary citizens across Madhya Pradesh have voiced their hopes for measures that directly address everyday concerns. The public sentiment reflects a strong desire for practical solutions rather than abstract economic policies.
Rohan Verma, a final-year commerce student in Bhopal, emphasized the need for training programs that lead to genuine employment opportunities. "Vocational training must be intrinsically connected with actual job placements so that students can build stable, long-term careers within the state itself," he stated, highlighting the youth's employment anxieties.
Senior citizens have called for a more streamlined and transparent pension system. Professor Sharad Naik from the civil engineering department of a private college stressed the importance of timely pension disbursements and enhanced safety measures for the elderly. "Our senior citizens deserve to live with dignity and financial security in their retirement years," he remarked.
Aarti Mishra, a homemaker, focused on healthcare infrastructure, stating that government hospitals require substantial improvements. "There should be adequate doctors, reliable medicine supplies, and proper cleanliness standards in government hospitals so that ordinary families don't have to resort to expensive private healthcare," she explained.
These diverse expectations collectively reflect broader public concerns that extend beyond industrial growth and investment figures. The citizenry's priorities center on job creation, social security mechanisms, and the quality of basic public services that impact daily life across Madhya Pradesh.
