Haryana: Nayab Saini Promises Rs 2,100 Monthly For Women, Sets 36-Medal Target For 2036 Olympics With Player Provisions

Haryana Chief Minister (CM) Nayab Saini presented his first Budget as the state's finance minister on Monday (17 March), making several provisions for education and the agriculture sector, Indian Express reported.

Fulfilling the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) electoral promise of giving Rs 2,100 per month to women, Saini earmarked Rs 5,000 crore for the execution of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana.

The budget has also raised the incentive for farmers from the existing Rs 7,000 to Rs 8,000 per acre if they choose to diversify their crops instead of continuing with paddy cultivation.

In an effort to address the issue of stubble burning, a major source of air pollution, the subsidy provided to farmers who manage paddy straw has been increased from Rs 1,000 per acre to Rs 1,200.

The budget has introduced a novel insurance scheme, Khiladi Bima Yojana, in response to the ongoing success of Haryana's athletes in winning medals across various sports. This scheme will provide medical coverage up to Rs 20 lakh for national-level medalists and participants in international competitions.

The state's five universities are set to have proposed new centres for sports excellence. The CM has introduced the "Mission Olympics 2036 Vijayi Bhava" initiative, with a fund allocation of Rs 20 crore, aiming to secure "at least 36 medals" in the 2036 Olympics.

Saini also promised to bring a Bill to tackle the problem of “dunki route”, which refers to illegal ways used by Haryana's youth to enter the United States. The issue came to light after recent deportations.

“We will try to provide international employment to youth through Haryana Overseas Employment Cell and Haryana Skill and Employment Corporation,” he was quoted as saying.