In a post-budget interaction with TOI, dy CM & finance minister Jagdish Devda, outlined the govt’s growth & priorities, emphasising on fiscal expansion, farmers’ welfare, infra growth & a rolling-budget framework. Excerpts from an exclusive interview...

The state govt earlier declared that the budget size would cross Rs 7.28 lakh crore by 2028, with a phased increase planned between 2024 and 2028. However, in FY 2026–27 itself, the budget reached only about Rs 4.38 lakh crore. How will this target be achieved despite the devolution cut from the earlier 7.8 pct in 2025–26 to 7.3 pct for the next fiscal?n With the chief minister's strong resolve, we will achieve the target. Every time the BJP govt made a commitment, we fulfilled it. We will do so again. How does the govt plan to monetise welfare schemes and bridge resource gaps?n Last year, we rolled out a zero-based assessment of departmental schemes to understand utilisation of sanctioned funds and identify unspent amounts. Madhya Pradesh is the first state to present a rolling budget covering FY 2026-27, FY 2027–28 and FY 2028-29. This framework will help monitor implementation, identify development gaps and guide future policy decisions. It enables long-term planning and better outcome-based governance. What about focusing on infrastructure and industry?n Infrastructure and industry are both crucial for development, and we gave adequate attention and financial support to these sectors in the budget. We are also working within a GYANII-based budget framework that includes Garib, Yuva, Annadata, Nari, Industries and Infrastructure, ensuring balanced and inclusive growth across all priority segments. The Opposition are claiming rising debt and an empty treasury. Your response?n I believe the Opposition neither listened to the budget nor examined the data. Their approach is limited to criticism. They created noise in the House without showing any real interest in going over the budgetary provisions. What provisions were made for farmers in the Farmers' Welfare Year?n As 2026 has been declared as the Farmers' Welfare Year, our proposals were structured around the prosperity of our farmers and ensuring fair prices for their produce. A total allocation of Rs 1,15,013 crore has been made for agriculture and allied priorities to strengthen rural income and stability. What is the core idea behind this year's budget?n The common people had high expectations from the budget. To understand the people's pulse and expectations around the budget, we invited suggestions from citizens and sector experts and incorporated them into the budget. It is a people's budget meant for every section of society. This is a sarvsparshi (all-encompassing) budget that takes care of the interests of all.