UP Agriculture Minister Issues Stern Warning on Budget Negligence, Threatens Salary Recovery
In a significant development, Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi on Monday delivered a firm warning to departmental officials, emphasizing that any negligence in budget utilisation would lead to strict accountability measures. The minister explicitly stated that losses incurred due to such negligence could be recovered directly from the salaries of responsible officials.
Virtual Review Meeting Reveals Budget Utilisation Figures
Chairing a comprehensive virtual review meeting, Minister Shahi conducted an extensive assessment of departmental schemes for the financial year 2025–26. During this crucial session, he directed officials to ensure immediate and optimal utilisation of remaining funds before the fiscal year concludes. The meeting provided detailed insights into the department's financial performance and scheme implementation progress.
According to official figures presented during the review, the agriculture department had a total budget provision of Rs 8,620.65 crore for the 2025–26 financial year. From this substantial allocation, Rs 7,431.86 crore has already been sanctioned for various agricultural initiatives and programs. As of March 30, 2026, the recorded expenditure stood at Rs 6,432.67 crore, representing 74.62% of the total budget allocation.
Centrally Sponsored Schemes Show Strong Utilisation Rates
The review meeting also examined centrally sponsored schemes, where officials reported that Rs 3,278.50 crore was allocated for these national programs. From this amount, Rs 2,027.49 crore has been sanctioned, with Rs 1,719.15 crore already utilised, achieving an impressive 84.79% utilisation rate for centrally sponsored agricultural initiatives.
Minister Shahi expressed particular satisfaction with the progress of several key agricultural programs. The National Crop Insurance Programme demonstrated exceptional performance with 99.59% utilisation, while the Sub-Mission on Agriculture Extension achieved 96.08% utilisation. The Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (DPR) also showed substantial progress in its implementation across Uttar Pradesh.
Unwavering Commitment to Farmers' Welfare
Reiterating the state government's steadfast commitment to farmers' welfare, Minister Shahi asserted that there would be absolutely no shortage of funds for farmer-centric schemes and initiatives. The minister emphasized that agricultural development remains a top priority for the Uttar Pradesh administration, with sufficient resources allocated to support farming communities across the state.
The stern warning about salary recovery for budget negligence represents a significant shift toward greater financial accountability within the agriculture department. This approach aims to ensure that allocated funds translate effectively into tangible benefits for farmers and agricultural development programs throughout Uttar Pradesh.
