With the objective of making the Budget 2026–27 a “People’s Budget”, the Haryana government has launched an AI-based initiative to directly invite suggestions from the citizens across the State.
It marks the first ever use of Artificial Intelligence in such a manner within India’s administrative and democratic framework, claimed the Haryana government.
Through this AI-based Voice Feedback Portal, live budget-related suggestions will be collected directly from citizens. People can share their views in Hindi, English, and Haryanvi, ensuring inclusivity and wider participation. AI technology will analyse these inputs to support data-driven budget formulation, ensuring that voices from all sections of society reach the policy-making process.
The system captures feedback through two modes.
In the first mode, citizens scan a QR code, being promoted on various social media platforms, after which an AI Voice Assistant initiates a conversation, records suggestions, and securely stores the interaction in a centralised database. Subsequently, a link is sent to the citizen to submit additional detailed feedback through a form.
In the second mode, citizens can give a missed call on 73033 50030. The AI system automatically calls back and records suggestions through a phone conversation. As soon as the calls connects, the recorded voice of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomes the caller and seeks their suggestions for the budget.
Thereafter, AI chatbot “Pooja” seeks information such as the name and profession of the caller and place of residence before seeking views on the previous budget and suggestions for the upcoming budget. Once the call ends, the caller receives a text messsage with a link to a website to send any additional suggestions.
Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management Director General Raj Nehru told The Hindu over phone that besides the Finance Minister traditionally holding meetings with various stakeholders, including the industrialists, for pre-budget consultations, a portal was also launched a couple of years ago for the common people to share their suggestions. “But it required reading and writing skills. Also, it was found that people were not inclined to write. So, at the instance of Mr. Saini, a need was felt to make the process more people-friendly with the use of Artificial Intelligence and this is how a chatbot seeking suggestions over a phone call was born.”
The suggestions received over phone calls and on the portal would be analysed using AI and advanced data analytics identifying public priorities, trends and expectations. “The suggestions would be categorised based on the sectors such as health, education and agriculture and whether these are new or already exist. Following the analysis, the suggestions would then be presented to Mr. Saini for his consideration for inclusion into the budget,” said Dr. Nehru.
In less than 24 hours, more than a thousand calls were received, he said, adding that the line would remain open till at least January 28.