Lucknow, Feb. 12 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has given special priority to social welfare in the 2026-27 budget, providing Rs.14,953 crore, an increase of 8 percent compared to 2025-26. Finance minister Suresh Khanna stated that Rs.8,950 crore is proposed for the old age and farmer pension schemes. Currently, 67.50 lakh beneficiaries are receiving a monthly pension of Rs 1000. Finance Minister Suresh Khanna stated that the grant amount for the marriage of daughters under the Chief Minister's Mass Marriage Scheme has been increased from Rs. 51,000 to Rs. 1.01 lakh. Rs 100 crore is proposed for the marriage grant scheme for daughters of poor Scheduled Castes and Rs. 50 crore for the marriage grant scheme for daughters of poor General Category individuals. A provision of Rs. 977 crore is proposed for the Scheduled Caste Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme. Rs. 950 crore is proposed for the General Category Pre-Matric and Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme. Under the PM Ajay Scheme, Rs. 13.09 crore has been allocated for the construction of hostels for Scheduled Caste students. Under the Chief Minister's Shramik Mahila Hostel, an amount of Rs.80 crore has been allocated for the construction of hostels. The minister informed that Rs 3,402 crore has been allocated for backward class welfare schemes, a 9% increase compared to the 2025-2026 target. An amount of Rs.3,060 crore has been allocated for pre-matriculation and post-matriculation scholarship schemes....