Free milk for children in mid-day meals:Treatment for cancer and heart patients in medical colleges – MP budget expectations

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly budget session begins on February 16, with all eyes on February 18, when Finance Minister Jagdish Devda will present the 2026–27 state budget. This will be the third budget of the Dr. Mohan Yadav government and is expected to provide a clear glimpse of the panchayat and municipal elections scheduled a year later. According to sources, this year’s budget is not just a one-year account but a detailed financial plan for the future, emphasising capital expenditure, infrastructure strengthening, and fiscal discipline. The state’s GSDP has seen an average annual growth rate of nearly 10%. It is expected that the annual budget for 2026–27 could exceed ₹4.65 lakh crore. Government focus is likely to remain on health, nutrition, farmers, youth, and infrastructure. Budget highlights may include providing tetra-pack milk to about 1.40 crore children as part of the mid-day meal scheme, setting up food processing units in every district to increase farmers’ income, and offering treatment for critical illnesses like cancer and heart conditions under the ‘CM Care’ scheme in medical colleges. Know what’s in the budget for whom…. Health: Expansion of super specialty facilities through ‘CM Care’ The government is expected to announce the expansion of the ‘CM Care’ scheme in this budget, aiming to establish a robust network of super-specialty healthcare services across the state. Wellness tourism: 12 faith sites to be developed, confluence of tourism and wellness Madhya Pradesh is set to open a new chapter in wellness tourism, with 12 locations in the state proposed to be developed as hubs combining faith, tourism, and wellness. Nutrition and Education: Children will get Tetra Pack Milk The government is set to take a major step to improve nutrition for 98.37 lakh children from first to eighth grade and 48 lakh children aged 3 to 6 years in Anganwadis. The plan includes providing tetra pack milk along with mid-day meals. For this, the Rural and Panchayat Department will sign an MoU with MP Dugdh Mahasangh. For Farmers: From Irrigation to Price Differential Several major announcements are expected in the budget to address farmers’ needs and strengthen agricultural support. Infrastructure: Roads and Urban Development on the Agenda The budget is expected to bring major investments in infrastructure, focusing on roads, urban development, and rural connectivity. Employees and Youth: Salary Revisions and Job Creation The budget is expected to focus on improving benefits for government employees and creating new opportunities for youth. First-time ‘Rolling Budget’: One Budget, Three-Year Plan For the first time, the Madhya Pradesh government will present a rolling budget in the assembly, covering three fiscal years from 2026-27 to 2028-29. This new approach is seen as a revolutionary step, with political analysts interpreting it as early preparation for the next assembly elections. The government has argued that this system will allow better control over expenditure on schemes and enable continuous review, ensuring more effective implementation of government programmes. Similar Schemes Unified Under One Roof The budget will also introduce a major structural change. For each scheme, it will now be mandatory to clarify why funds are allocated, who the beneficiaries are, and what the social and economic impact will be. Several ineffective schemes are being removed, while programmes with similar objectives will be integrated. Various departmental schemes related to farmers, women, youth, and infrastructure will be brought under a single umbrella, so that the benefits can reach intended beneficiaries more efficiently and without obstacles.