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Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has proposed a comprehensive mission to clean the 313-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna in the state, alongside key welfare and infrastructure measures in the 2026-27 budget. The plan includes scientific treatment of drain water, expansion of sewage capacity and stricter industrial monitoring. The budget also proposes raising minimum wages, installing remaining smart meters, expanding pilgrimage schemes, purchasing electric buses and creating a Special Assistance Fund of INR 100 crore to address salary delays. Air connectivity from Hisar is also set for expansion.
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has proposed a dedicated mission to eliminate pollution in the 313-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna flowing through the state, describing the river as the lifeline of Haryana's economy. The mission will function under his chairmanship and aims to ensure scientific treatment of all drain water entering the river by 2026-27. Advertisement
Presenting the state budget for 2026-27 in the assembly in Chandigarh earlier this week, Saini outlined a coordinated action plan that includes expansion of sewage treatment capacity, prevention of unchecked wastewater discharge, real-time monitoring of industrial units, riverbank protection and development, and groundwater recharge measures. The proposed timeline targets completion by 2026-27.
The Yamuna has been a longstanding environmental concern in Haryana, particularly in industrial and urban belts where untreated effluents and sewage have affected water quality. Previous efforts focused on sewage treatment plants and monitoring mechanisms, but the new mission seeks to bring all interventions under a single structured framework.
On labour reforms, the chief minister said the Expert Committee formed after his earlier budget announcement had recommended revising minimum wage rates. The committee suggested increasing the monthly minimum wage for unskilled workers from the current INR 11,257 to INR 15,200. He stated that a decision would be taken soon and that the revised wages would be implemented during 2026-27.
In the power sector, Saini informed the House that Haryana has around 76 lakh non-agricultural electricity consumers. Smart meters have so far been installed for 8.73 lakh consumers. The remaining nearly 68 lakh consumers will be covered in the next phase. The state has been gradually implementing smart metering to improve billing efficiency and reduce losses.
He further announced that farmers would be permitted to install solar panels in their agricultural fields on existing electricity-based tubewell connections. The move is expected to support renewable energy adoption in the agriculture sector while reducing dependence on conventional power.
The government has also set a target to convert all villages in Haryana into ODF Plus model villages by 2 October 2026. The ODF Plus status includes solid and liquid waste management systems in addition to open defecation-free certification.
In the transport sector, Haryana Roadways will procure 50 new electric buses to operate on routes connecting major religious destinations such as Katra, Salasar, Khatu Shyam, Haridwar and Amritsar from Chandigarh, Delhi Airport-Gurugram and Chandigarh. The introduction of electric buses aligns with the state's broader push towards cleaner public transport.
Under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, elderly citizens from low-income families were taken on pilgrimage to Ayodhya and for Sangam Snan during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj in 2025. For 2026-27, the government has proposed pilgrimages to Shirdi, Mata Vaishno Devi and Gurdwara Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar.
Addressing employee-related issues, Saini noted that delays in receiving state or central government contributions under certain schemes often lead to salary delays for specific categories of employees. To address this, he proposed setting up a Special Assistance Fund with an initial allocation of INR 100 crore to provide immediate financial support and ensure timely salary disbursement.
He also proposed raising the income eligibility limit for medical reimbursement of dependents of employees and pensioners from INR 3,500 per month to INR 9,000 per month, stating that this would address a long-pending demand of employee and pensioner associations.
In civil aviation, Saini said that air services were launched last year from Hisar Airport to Ayodhya, Chandigarh and Jaipur, benefiting around 4,000 passengers travelling to Ayodhya. He added that flights from Hisar to Jammu and Ahmedabad would commence, while construction of the Hisar Air Cargo Terminal would be completed and a heliport would be developed at Pinjore.
Source PTI
FAQ
1. What is the Yamuna clean-up mission announced in the Haryana Budget 2026-27?
The Haryana government has proposed a comprehensive mission to eliminate pollution in the 313-kilometre stretch of the Yamuna flowing through the state. The mission will operate under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and aims to ensure scientific treatment of all drain water entering the river by 2026-27. It includes expanding sewage treatment capacity, preventing untreated wastewater discharge, strengthening industrial monitoring, protecting riverbanks, and promoting groundwater recharge.
2. Why is the Yamuna project significant for Haryana?
The Yamuna is considered a key economic and ecological resource for the state. Pollution from untreated sewage and industrial effluents has been a long-standing issue, especially in urban and industrial areas. By integrating multiple interventions into a single structured framework, the government aims to improve water quality, public health, irrigation sustainability and environmental compliance across the river belt.
3. What changes have been proposed in minimum wages?
An Expert Committee has recommended increasing the monthly minimum wage for unskilled workers from INR 11,257 to INR 15,200. The chief minister stated that a final decision will be taken soon, and the revised wages are expected to be implemented during 2026-27. The move is aimed at improving income security for workers amid rising living costs.
4. What steps are being taken in the power and renewable energy sectors?
Haryana currently has around 76 lakh non-agricultural electricity consumers, of which 8.73 lakh have received smart meters. The remaining nearly 68 lakh consumers will be covered in the next phase to improve billing efficiency and reduce power losses. Additionally, farmers will be allowed to install solar panels on agricultural land linked to existing tubewell connections, promoting renewable energy use in farming.
5. What is the INR 100 crore Special Assistance Fund?
The government has proposed creating a Special Assistance Fund with an initial allocation of INR 100 crore. The fund is intended to address salary delays faced by certain categories of employees due to late receipt of state or central contributions under specific schemes. The objective is to ensure timely salary disbursement and financial stability for affected employees.
6. What transport and pilgrimage initiatives have been announced?
Haryana Roadways will procure 50 electric buses to connect major religious destinations, including Katra, Salasar, Khatu Shyam, Haridwar and Amritsar, from key cities. Under the Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana, new pilgrimage destinations for 2026-27 include Shirdi, Mata Vaishno Devi and Gurdwara Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar. These initiatives aim to promote affordable religious travel while supporting cleaner public transport.
7. What developments are planned for Hisar Airport and civil aviation?
Air services from Hisar were launched last year to Ayodhya, Chandigarh and Jaipur, benefiting thousands of passengers. The government has announced that flights to Jammu and Ahmedabad will begin soon. Additionally, the Hisar Air Cargo Terminal will be completed, and a heliport will be developed at Pinjore to strengthen regional air connectivity and logistics infrastructure.
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