Lucknow, Aug. 4 -- With the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election drawing closer, the Yogi Adityanath government has unveiled a Rs 59,019.54 crore supplementary budget that places infrastructure, industrial growth and rural connectivity ahead of fresh welfare giveaways, signalling that it intends to seek votes on its development record rather than announcing a slew of election-year freebies.
The supplementary budget, tabled in the state legislature on Tuesday, channels the largest share of additional spending into roads, villages, industrial infrastructure and the power sector. While it provides additional funds for running several existing welfare schemes, including those for women, children and persons with disabilities, it does not propose higher pensions for old-age, widow or destitute beneficiaries, nor does it announce any new flagship cash transfer programme or the much-speculated free scooty scheme for girls.
The biggest beneficiary is rural development. The government has earmarked an additional Rs 16,432.46 crore for village development programmes, making it the largest allocation in the supplementary budget. Another Rs 15,750.01 crore has been provided for roads and transport infrastructure, reflecting the government's strategy of strengthening rural connectivity and supporting economic activity beyond urban centres.
Among the key projects receiving fresh allocations are the proposed greenfield expressway connecting Jewar Airport with the Ganga Expressway, the Agra-Lucknow-Ganga Expressway link through Hardoi and Farrukhabad, the extension of the Ganga Expressway.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.