Wed Jan 07 20:04:22 UTC 2026: # Haryana Pioneers AI-Driven Citizen Input for Budget 2026-27

The Story:
The Haryana government has initiated a pioneering AI-based program aimed at gathering citizen suggestions for the upcoming Budget 2026-27. This marks the first instance of Artificial Intelligence being employed in India’s administrative framework for such a purpose. The initiative involves an AI Voice Feedback Portal that allows citizens to share their budget-related opinions in Hindi, English, and Haryanvi, with the AI analyzing the data to ensure diverse voices contribute to policy-making.

Key Points:

  • The Haryana government launched an AI-based initiative to collect citizen suggestions for Budget 2026-27.
  • Citizens can provide feedback via a QR code leading to an AI Voice Assistant or by giving a missed call to 73033 50030.
  • The AI chatbot, named “Pooja,” collects basic information and suggestions from callers.
  • All suggestions are analyzed using AI and advanced data analytics to identify public priorities and trends.
  • Over a thousand calls were received in the first 24 hours, and the line remains open until at least January 28, 2026.
  • The Finance Minister traditionally holds meetings with various stakeholders, including industrialists, for pre-budget consultations.
  • A portal was launched a couple of years ago for people to share their suggestions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Haryana is taking a proactive approach to citizen engagement using innovative technology.
  • The initiative aims to increase inclusivity in the budget-making process by accommodating various languages and skill levels.
  • The use of AI is intended to streamline the analysis of citizen feedback and identify key priorities.
  • The high initial response suggests strong public interest in participating in the budgetary process.
  • This initiative could serve as a model for other states in India looking to enhance citizen participation in governance.

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