Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath hailed the state Budget, presented by finance minister Tarun Bhanot on Wednesday, as one aimed at “inclusive growth and development of all sections of society. It gives priority to farmers, youths and the vulnerable classes, he said. The Budget is pro-people and will create new dimensions of development. It also reflects the pathways to Madhya Pradesh’s prosperity despite the state having an emptied exchequer, Nath said. Interests of all sections of society, including tribals, minorities and the middle class, were kept in mind before presenting the Budget, he remarked, adding: The Budget, in fact, is a map for the real development of the state in the next five years. Nath shared his concern about how the state’s share has been slashed in various central allocations. In spite of the emptied exchequer in the last six months, well-thought steps have been taken for faster development of the state. In order to fulfil the promises made to public, the Budget has showed commitment. There are well-contemplated provisions for urban areas along with a focus on rural development, Nath said. The CM highlighted allocations for several ambitious programmes, pointing out that new schemes have been designed to create jobs. Arrangements have also been made to meet basic needs such as drinking water, education and health, said Nath, adding: The Budget clearly mirrors the picture of a strong and prosperous Madhya Pradesh in the coming days as promised in the Congress Vachan Patra. The Kamal Nath government in Madhya Pradesh has become the first Congress government in the country to make budgetary provisions for conservation of cows. It was a manifesto promise ahead of the 2018 assembly polls. The Yogi Adityanaths BJP government in Uttar Pradesh is the only other state to have this. Presenting the annual state Budget, finance minister Tarun Bhanot announced Rs 132 crore to construct 1,000 gaushalas. Quoting Sanskrit shlokas, the finance minister explained the significance of gau mata in Indian tradition and culture, and announced a “three-tier conservation model. By starting special projects for conservation of cow, we have done something that hasn’t been done in the last 15 years, he said, targeting the previous BJP government in Madhya Pradesh.