SP Leader Lambasts UP Budget 2026-27 as Mere 'Show-Off' in Legislative Council Debate
In a scathing critique during the Legislative Council discussion on Tuesday, Samajwadi Party MLC and Leader of Opposition Lal Bihari Yadav denounced the Uttar Pradesh Budget 2026-27 as a "mere show-off", arguing that the government's focus on budget size overlooks critical spending deficiencies from the previous fiscal year. Yadav emphasized that the true measure of budgetary effectiveness lies not in inflated figures but in actual expenditure, questioning how much of the last budget was utilized by February.
Allegations of Inflated Budget Through Unspent Funds
Yadav accused the state government of artificially boosting the current financial year's budget by incorporating unspent allocations from the previous year, a move he labeled as misleading. "This budget fails to provide assurance to farmers, guarantee jobs for youth, or ensure security for women," he stated, characterizing the document as "a record of administrative formalities rather than public expectations." His remarks highlight growing concerns over fiscal transparency and accountability in Uttar Pradesh's governance.
Revealing Low Spending Rates in Key Departments
The SP leader presented detailed data to underscore his claims, revealing alarmingly low expenditure rates across various departments. According to Yadav, the Social Welfare Department, tasked with uplifting backward classes and physically challenged individuals, spent only 50.19% of its previous budget. "This demonstrates the government's neglect of marginalized communities," he asserted, suggesting a bias against backward sections.
Similarly, the Public Works Department (PWD) division responsible for road construction utilized merely 52.7% of its allocated funds, despite widespread reports of deteriorating road conditions across the state. "When roads are in disrepair everywhere, such under-spending is unacceptable," Yadav remarked, pointing to a disconnect between budgetary allocations and ground realities.
Broader Implications of Inadequate Budget Utilization
Yadav extended his criticism to other sectors, noting that the Culture Department expended only 57.29% of its budget, despite the government's reliance on cultural narratives during elections. He also highlighted spending shortfalls in excise (66%), industries (47%), environment (52.52%), and national integration (16%), arguing that these figures reflect systemic inefficiencies.
"The budget lacks a coherent policy to address regional disparities," Yadav concluded, urging for a more targeted and accountable fiscal approach. His comments have sparked debates on budgetary priorities and execution, with implications for Uttar Pradesh's economic and social development trajectory.
