Chandigarh, March 18 -- Defending the state government's spending on celebrating birth anniversaries of great personalities, Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Tuesday said calling it unnecessary expenditure or a scam was disrespectful to these great personalities.

The CM who was replying to the discussion on budget estimates for 2026-27 said that societies draw guidance from its history, traditions, and great personalities, which shape its future. "Keeping this in view, the government launched the Sant-Mahapurush Vichar Samman Evam Prasar Yojana in 2022. Under this scheme, a total of 21 birth anniversaries of great personalities were celebrated at the state level with full dignity and respect during 2025-26, with an expenditure...