Lucknow, January 2, 2026

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday underscored the importance of timely and effective utilisation of budgetary allocations, directing all state government departments to accelerate spending in the remaining months of the current financial year. Stressing that delays in expenditure undermine governance outcomes, the chief minister fixed clear accountability at every administrative level and warned that negligence or indecision leading to underutilisation of funds would not be tolerated.

The chief minister was chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the finance department, during which he assessed the utilisation of funds released to various departments for the financial year 2025–26. According to an official statement, the review involved detailed presentations by 20 major departments with the highest budgetary provisions, offering a snapshot of approvals granted, allocations made by departmental heads, and actual expenditure incurred against sanctioned amounts.

During the meeting, Adityanath examined the entire chain of budget execution—from government approvals and departmental planning to on-ground spending—to identify gaps that have led to slow or uneven utilisation of funds. He emphasised that budgetary provisions are meant to translate into tangible benefits for citizens and that delays in spending directly affect the timely completion of development projects and welfare schemes.

“Delays in budget utilisation adversely affect the timely completion of projects and deprive people of the intended benefits of government schemes,” the chief minister said, according to the statement. He instructed senior officers of all departments to ensure that allocated funds are utilised strictly within stipulated timelines, making it clear that administrative laxity would attract accountability.

A key focus of the chief minister’s directives was the need to fix responsibility at every stage of budget execution. “For timely budget spending, responsibility and answerability must be fixed by assigning a specific officer at every level,” he said. By clearly identifying officers responsible for approvals, fund releases, and expenditure, the chief minister said the government could ensure smoother execution and reduce delays caused by ambiguity or buck-passing.

Adityanath also highlighted the role of decision-making in effective governance, noting that hesitation and procedural delays often result in funds remaining unspent. He urged officers to develop the capacity to take prompt and informed decisions within the framework of rules and regulations. “Indecision and procedural delays often lead to underutilisation of funds,” he said, adding that officers must strike a balance between due diligence and timely action.

Departments where expenditure progress was found to be slow were directed to immediately accelerate spending. The chief minister said that decisions related to project approvals, tenders, and implementation should be taken without unnecessary delay so that schemes are executed on the ground and funds do not lapse due to administrative inefficiencies.

Emphasising the importance of coordination, Adityanath asked departmental ministers and senior officers to work in close alignment to expedite expenditure. He noted that lack of coordination between political leadership and the administrative machinery often slows down decision-making and execution. To address this, he directed departments with slow progress to hold monthly review meetings to identify bottlenecks and resolve issues related to spending and implementation.

The chief minister also issued specific instructions to the finance department to immediately release pending portions of budget allocations in cases where funds had not been issued due to procedural reasons. He said that once allocations are sanctioned, any delay in releasing funds must be addressed on priority to avoid disruption in project execution. “Delays in releasing sanctioned funds create unnecessary hurdles in implementation and must be resolved promptly,” he said.

Referring to centrally sponsored schemes, Adityanath stressed the need for proactive engagement with the Union government to ensure timely release of central assistance. He directed departmental ministers, additional chief secretaries, and principal secretaries to personally follow up with concerned central ministries. “Senior officers should personally visit New Delhi, write to the concerned ministries and follow up through official communication to ensure timely receipt of central assistance,” he said.

The chief minister also asked the chief secretary to take the lead in coordinating with the Centre to facilitate faster release of funds for centrally sponsored schemes. He instructed his office to identify departments with poor expenditure performance and formally communicate these concerns to the respective ministers, ensuring that corrective measures are initiated without delay.

In addition to reviewing the current financial year’s expenditure, the meeting also focused on preparations for the budget of the next financial year, 2026–27. Adityanath directed the finance department to begin the budget preparation process well in advance, stressing the importance of realistic planning based on past performance and implementation capacity.

He asked departments to review their budget demands in consultation with the finance department and to assess expenditure patterns over the past five years before finalising their proposals. This, he said, would help in avoiding overestimation of requirements and ensure that allocations are aligned with the departments’ ability to utilise funds effectively.

The chief minister directed that a new action plan for the 2026–27 budget be prepared at the earliest, with a focus on outcomes rather than merely allocations. He emphasised that budgetary planning should be closely linked to implementation timelines and measurable results, ensuring that public money delivers maximum value.

Adityanath also stressed the need for better coordination with the Centre during the budget planning process for the coming financial year. He said that early engagement with central ministries could help ensure timely budgetary support and smoother implementation of joint schemes.

The meeting concluded with clear directions for strict monitoring of budget utilisation and enforcement of accountability at all administrative levels. According to the official statement, the chief minister reiterated that effective budget utilisation is not just a financial requirement but a governance imperative that directly impacts development, public service delivery, and citizens’ trust in the administration.

By insisting on faster spending, clearer accountability, and proactive coordination, the chief minister signalled his intent to ensure that the state’s substantial budgetary resources are translated into visible outcomes on the ground. The directions issued during the review meeting are expected to lead to closer scrutiny of departmental performance in the coming months, with officers held answerable for delays and underutilisation of funds.

As Uttar Pradesh continues to undertake large-scale infrastructure projects and welfare initiatives, timely and efficient budget utilisation will remain a critical factor in achieving the state government’s development goals. The chief minister’s emphasis on accountability and advance planning reflects a broader push to strengthen financial discipline and administrative efficiency across the state machinery.