With the 2027 Assembly elections in mind, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while claiming significant progress in the state over the past nine years, announced an 80% hike in the honorarium of Shiksha Mitras from April next and scooties for meritorious girl students.
The announcement was made by the Chief Minister while replying to the budget debate on the last day of the Assembly session on Friday.
Advertisement
The UP government has given a significant gift to 1.70 lakh Shiksha Mitras and instructors in Uttar Pradesh. Shiksha Mitras will now receive Rs 18,000 per month and instructors Rs 17,000 per month. Until now, Shiksha Mitras were receiving Rs 10,000 and instructors Rs 9,000.
Advertisement
The Chief Minister said, “This time, we are going to provide scooties to meritorious girls under the Rani Lakshmibai Scheme. Under this scheme, a budget of Rs 400 crore has been allocated for girls studying in higher education institutions.”
The Chief Minister also announced the Digital Entrepreneur Scheme. He said, “There are 8,000 Nyaya Panchayats. The Gram Swaraj model for connecting these Panchayats was very effective. We will create digital entrepreneurs in these 8,000 villages. We will provide 50% reservation for daughters-in-law and daughters of the village and offer them interest-free loans of up to Rs 10 lakh. Following the scheme announced in the Union Budget, women entrepreneur marketing industry centres will be established in the state.”
CM Yogi clarified, “The government has taken this step in the interest of Shiksha Mitras and instructors. Earlier, under the Samajwadi Party government, they received only Rs 3,000. Our government increased it to Rs 10,000 in 2017. Now, considering inflation, a one-time increase of Rs 8,000 has been made.”
After nine years, the honorarium of Shiksha Mitras has been increased. They will now also be eligible for transfers, and the government has provided cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 5 lakh for them and their families.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, “Over the past nine years, Uttar Pradesh has moved out of the category of the bottom three states and secured a place among the top three states in the country.” He said this transformation is the result of clear policies, clean intent, and effective financial management.
Calling the Rs 9,12,696 crore budget historic, he said, “For the first time in the history of Uttar Pradesh, a Chief Minister has had the opportunity to present the budget for the 10th time.” Responding to questions raised by the opposition regarding financial approvals, he clarified that approvals are issued on time and the expenditure process is completely transparent.
On fiscal discipline, the Chief Minister said that in 2016-17, the fiscal deficit stood at 4.39% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), which is being reduced to 2.97% in 2025-26. Similarly, the debt burden has declined from nearly 30% to around 26%, with a target of bringing it down to 23% by 2026-27.
He further noted that in 2016-17, per capita income was around Rs 43,000, which has increased to more than Rs 1,20,000 by the end of 2024-25. “This change reflects the growing economic strength and pace of development in Uttar Pradesh,” he said.
He added that Uttar Pradesh’s GSDP has increased from Rs 13 lakh crore in 2016-17 to Rs 36 lakh crore at present, with a target of reaching Rs 40 lakh crore in 2026-27.
The Chief Minister said the purpose of discussions on demands for grants is to guide departments so that they can begin work in a planned manner from the start of the new financial year. All departments are moving forward with their action plans to ensure effective implementation of the budget.
He emphasized that capital expenditure has been given priority. In 2016-17, it was around Rs 71,000 crore, which has now increased to more than Rs 1,77,000 crore. Investment in infrastructure, he said, accelerates employment generation and economic activity, promotes job creation, industrial expansion, and overall economic growth.
The Chief Minister said the goal of making Uttar Pradesh a one-trillion-dollar economy is being advanced through this budget and that the state will play a crucial role in realizing the vision of a developed India.
Earlier, he thanked the Speaker for the smooth conduct of the House and said meaningful discussions were held during the two-week budget session. He also informed the House that the General Budget 2026-27 was presented by Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna and appreciated suggestions from Leader of the Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey and senior member Shivpal Singh Yadav.
He added that 167 members participated in the budget discussion, including 109 from the ruling side and 58 from the opposition, calling it an example of healthy parliamentary tradition. “Dialogue is the path to solutions,” he said.
Advertisement
