(THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM)
By Abul Hasan: A historic moment unfolded in the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly today when the state’s Finance Minister, O.P. Choudhary, presented the first-ever handwritten budget. This is the first time that, instead of a computer-typed budget, a budget written by the Finance Minister himself was presented in the house. The budget, spanning 100 pages, is entirely handwritten, marking a significant departure from the traditional format.

O.P. Choudhary, a former 2005 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, has been serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly for Raigarh since 2023. Prior to this, he served as the Collector of Raipur district. Under his leadership, several administrative and financial reforms have been implemented in the state. The handwritten budget, which he presented, is being seen as a symbolic move to bring a personal and transparent touch to the state’s financial future.

Choudhary’s contribution to public service has been widely recognized, with one of his major achievements being the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Public Administration, awarded for his educational initiatives in Dantewada. This honor underscores his dedication to community welfare and administrative excellence.

Through this budget, Choudhary has introduced several initiatives and reforms aimed at propelling the state’s economic growth. He explained that presenting a handwritten budget was not just about breaking with tradition, but also about honoring the state’s heritage while fostering transparency and trust with the people of Chhattisgarh.

This unprecedented step has not only written a new chapter in the state’s political history but has also sent a strong message nationwide about the importance of innovation and transparency in governance.