A Record-Breaking Budget Focused on Capital Investment and Economic Stability
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary Highlights Visionary Governance, Capital Investment, and Inclusive Growth
On December 16, 2025, the Government of Chhattisgarh presented the largest supplementary budget in the state’s history, amounting to ₹35,000 crore. Finance Minister Shri O.P. Choudhary described the budget as a strategic instrument for sustained economic progress rather than a routine financial exercise. The budget reflects the Sai government’s emphasis on development-led governance, fiscal discipline, and long-term resilience. It seeks to correct inherited financial stress while laying a durable foundation for inclusive growth. With capital expenditure, farmer welfare, infrastructure, women empowerment, and peace-building at its core, the supplementary budget signals Chhattisgarh’s intent to move decisively toward becoming one of India’s leading development-oriented states.
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Supplementary Budget Size | ₹35,000 crore |
| Date Presented | 16 December 2025 |
| Finance Minister | O.P. Choudhary |
| Government | Chhattisgarh Government |
| Core Theme | Development with fiscal discipline |
Correcting Legacy Liabilities and Reviving Institutions
The Finance Minister highlighted that the previous government left behind over ₹45,000 crore in pending liabilities across boards and corporations, severely weakening institutional capacity. Several key agencies were pushed close to functional paralysis. Through this supplementary budget, the state government has taken decisive steps to revive Markfed and NAAN, which are central to paddy procurement and the public distribution system. Strengthening these institutions is essential for timely farmer payments and uninterrupted food supply to citizens. The government’s approach reflects a clear understanding that institutional revival is foundational to both farmer welfare and food security.
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Legacy Pending Liabilities | ₹45,000+ crore |
| Key Institutions Revived | Markfed, NAAN |
| Linked Sectors | Paddy procurement, PDS |
| Core Objective | Institutional stability |
Capital Expenditure as the Engine of Growth
Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary underlined that revenue expenditure alone cannot build a strong future. Long-term prosperity depends on capital investments in roads, bridges, irrigation, power, education, health, and digital infrastructure. These assets generate productivity and growth over decades. Guided by this philosophy, the Sai government has placed capital expenditure at the center of its economic strategy, shifting governance away from short-termism toward sustainable development. This marks a structural shift in Chhattisgarh’s fiscal thinking.
Key Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Development Strategy | Capital-led growth |
| Focus Areas | Roads, irrigation, power, health |
| Governance Shift | Long-term asset creation |
| Outcome Sought | Sustainable economy |
Historic Rise in Capital Expenditure
Capital expenditure in Chhattisgarh has seen a nearly 55-fold increase over 25 years. It rose from ₹13,320 crore in FY 2022–23 to ₹15,419 crore in 2023–24, further increasing to ₹20,055 crore in 2024–25. In the 2025–26 main budget, capital outlay was set at ₹26,341 crore, with an additional ₹2,000 crore through the supplementary budget. As a share of total budget size, capital expenditure is expected to rise to 4.1%, compared to about 3.5% under the previous government.
Key Facts
| Year | Capital Expenditure |
|---|---|
| 2022–23 | ₹13,320 crore |
| 2023–24 | ₹15,419 crore |
| 2024–25 | ₹20,055 crore |
| 2025–26 (Main + Supp.) | ₹28,341 crore |
Infrastructure Boost: Roads, Rail and Connectivity
Infrastructure received special priority in the supplementary budget. To strengthen rural connectivity, ₹175 crore was allocated for RRP Phase-2. Major state road upgrades under the ADB Loan-3 project received ₹150 crore, while ₹86 crore was provided for the Chirmiri–Nagpur Halt rail line. These investments aim at time-bound completion of projects, reduced logistics costs, and improved access to markets and public services.
Key Facts
| Project | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Rural Road Programme (Phase-2) | ₹175 crore |
| State Road Sector (ADB-3) | ₹150 crore |
| Chirmiri–Nagpur Rail Line | ₹86 crore |
Agriculture and Farmer Welfare as Top Priority
Agriculture stands at the heart of the supplementary budget. ₹2,000 crore was allocated for the Krishi Unnati Yojana to enhance farmer incomes. To reduce irrigation costs, ₹1,700 crore was provided for free electricity for pumps up to 5 HP. Interest-free farm loans received ₹187 crore, while crop insurance under PMFBY was strengthened with ₹122 crore. Irrigation capacity was enhanced with ₹35 crore under PMKSY.
Key Facts
| Scheme | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Krishi Unnati Yojana | ₹2,000 crore |
| Free Power to Farmers | ₹1,700 crore |
| Interest-Free Loans | ₹187 crore |
| Crop Insurance (PMFBY) | ₹122 crore |
Food Security and Public Distribution Strengthened
To clear inherited dues and stabilize food security systems, ₹19,224 crore was allocated. This includes ₹6,800 crore for the Chief Minister’s Food Assistance Scheme and ₹12,424 crore for settling procurement losses of Markfed. These provisions ensure timely farmer payments and uninterrupted food grain supply, reinforcing citizens’ food rights.
Key Facts
| Component | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Total Food Security Provision | ₹19,224 crore |
| CM Food Assistance Scheme | ₹6,800 crore |
| Markfed Paddy Loss Settlement | ₹12,424 crore |
Road Safety, Emergency Response and Green Mobility
Public safety received focused attention with ₹154 crore allocated for fire vehicles and modern firefighting equipment across districts and blocks. ₹75 crore was earmarked for ANPR camera systems to reduce road accidents, while ₹12 crore was allocated for automated driving test tracks. To promote clean transport, ₹35 crore was provided as EV subsidies.
Key Facts
| Area | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Fire & Emergency Services | ₹154 crore |
| ANPR Cameras | ₹75 crore |
| Automated Driving Tracks | ₹12 crore |
| EV Subsidy | ₹35 crore |
Industrial Development and Investment Promotion
To accelerate industrial growth, the supplementary budget provides ₹360 crore. This includes ₹180 crore for new industrial areas, ₹130 crore as capital investment subsidies, and ₹25 crore as interest subsidies. These measures aim to boost investment, employment, and production capacity.
Key Facts
| Component | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Total Industrial Support | ₹360 crore |
| New Industrial Areas | ₹180 crore |
| Capital Subsidy | ₹130 crore |
| Interest Subsidy | ₹25 crore |
Women and Child Development
Women empowerment remains central to the Sai government’s agenda. ₹2,500 crore was allocated for the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, ensuring financial security and dignity for women. ₹225 crore was provided under Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 to strengthen nutrition and early childhood care.
Key Facts
| Scheme | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Mahtari Vandan Yojana | ₹2,500 crore |
| Poshan 2.0 & Anganwadi | ₹225 crore |
Rural Housing and Livelihoods
Rural housing received ₹1,000 crore additionally, over ₹8,500 crore in the main budget. Rural roads under PMGSY received ₹378 crore, sanitation under Swachh Bharat Mission got ₹150 crore, and NRLM received ₹286 crore for livelihood support.
Key Facts
| Sector | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Rural Housing (Additional) | ₹1,000 crore |
| PMGSY | ₹378 crore |
| Swachh Bharat Mission | ₹150 crore |
| NRLM | ₹286 crore |
From Air Connectivity to Peace in Bastar
The budget allocated ₹150 crore for Bilaspur Airport and ₹30 crore for Raigarh Airport, improving regional connectivity. Over the last two years, ₹25,000+ crore has been transferred directly to farmers. The government is confident of making Chhattisgarh LWE-free by March 31, 2026, with Bastar witnessing cultural revival through events like Bastar Pandum and Bastar Olympics.
Key Facts
| Focus Area | Data |
|---|---|
| Bilaspur Airport | ₹150 crore |
| Raigarh Airport | ₹30 crore |
| Direct Transfers to Farmers | ₹25,000+ crore |
| LWE-Free Target | 31 March 2026 |
Conclusion: Governance Driven by Results
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated that the ₹35,000 crore supplementary budget reflects development, discipline, and sensitive governance. With capital expenditure, farmer welfare, women empowerment, infrastructure, and peace-building at its core, the budget demonstrates that the government believes not in promises, but in results—firmly positioning Chhattisgarh on the path to becoming one of India’s leading developed states.
