The upcoming Punjab Budget session, set to begin on Friday, is expected to be dominated by fierce debates on the crackdown on farmers, “police atrocities” against the common man, and the AAP government’s “bulldozer justice” under its anti-drug campaign.
The session is likely to be a contentious one, with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) presenting a “pro-development face” and justifying its actions, particularly the crackdown on farmers, as a necessary step to boost economic activity. The Opposition, led by Congress, is expected to sharply criticize the government over these issues.
The session will begin with Governor Gulab Chand Kataria’s Address, and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema will present the Budget proposals on March 26. The focus of the Budget is expected to be on industry, infrastructure, and employment generation. However, it remains uncertain whether the government will announce the promised Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for women, especially given the reduced Central grants. The Budget is also likely to show a significant revenue deficit, with a large portion of the revenue being allocated to servicing old debt and high liabilities.
Punjab Congress affairs in-charge Bhupesh Baghel has instructed party legislators to take an aggressive stand on key issues such as the use of force on farmers, law and order, the drug menace, and the unfulfilled promise of the Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for women. These topics are expected to be central to the Opposition’s attack on the government.
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has also criticized the AAP government, accusing it of using the crackdown on farmers as part of a political strategy to win over the trading community ahead of the Ludhiana (West) by-elections. Bajwa called the government’s actions part of opportunistic politics and vowed to expose the false narratives put forth by the ruling party. He also emphasized that AAP’s actions demonstrated their lack of support for both farmers and soldiers, suggesting that after the elections, the party would likely neglect traders as well.
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