Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the state budget for 2025-26, totaling ₹2.36 lakh crore. No new taxes were introduced, and the focus is on fighting drug addiction, improving policing, and strengthening health and education services.
Key Highlights of the Budget:
– No New Taxes:The government aims to increase revenue through better tax collection from GST, VAT, and excise duties.
– State Debt: Punjab’s debt is expected to rise to ₹4.17 lakh crore by March 2026. The government blamed past administrations for this financial burden.
– Women’s Welfare: The promise of ₹1,000 per month for women was not fulfilled. However, free bus travel for women continues with ₹450 crore allocated, even though actual costs exceed ₹750 crore.
– Fighting Drugs: A comprehensive drug census will be conducted to understand addiction across households. The government will deploy 5,000 Home Guards and install anti-drone systems to prevent drug smuggling.
– Sports Development:A new initiative, “Khedda Punjab, Badalda Punjab,”will build playgrounds and gyms in villages. The highest-ever budget of ₹979 crore has been allocated for sports.
– Support for SC Community: The Scheduled Caste (SC) community, which makes up 32% of Punjab’s voters, will receive 34% of the development budget (₹13,987 crore). A debt waiver scheme for 4,640 SC borrowers has been announced.
– Education & Healthcare:
– Free health insurance now covers 65 lakh families (earlier 45 lakh) with coverage increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
– A new medical college will be built in Nawanshahr.
– Agriculture: ₹14,524 crore has been allocated, including ₹500 crore for crop diversification. Maize farming will be promoted across 21,000 hectares.
– Industry & Infrastructure: ₹250 crore will be given as industrial incentives. A Unity Mall will be built in Amritsar, and technology extension centres will be set up in Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Patiala, and Mohali.
Despite these allocations, Punjab still faces financial challenges. ₹1.02 lakh crore is already committed to salaries, pensions, power subsidies, and loan interest, leaving only ₹9,067 crore for development. To meet financial needs, the government plans to borrow ₹49,900 crore.
Cheema called this budget a step towards a “New Punjab”and promised better governance in the coming years.
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