ਪੰਜਾਬ Finance ਮੰਤਰੀ Harpal Cheema presented the state’s budget for the 2025-26 financial year on Wednesday, amounting to Rs 2.36 lakh crore. The budget focuses on addressing key issues such as the drug problem, improving public education, upgrading health infrastructure, and promoting sports.
Described as a “futuristic” budget, it outlines the “Badalda ਪੰਜਾਬ Roadmap for 2025-26.” This is the fourth budget presented by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) ਸਰਕਾਰ. A key priority is tackling the drug issue through the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ (war against drugs) campaign.
Cheema also announced that ਪੰਜਾਬ would conduct its first-ever “drug census,” covering every household in the state. The census will gather information on drug use, the use of de-addiction centers, and the conditions of families affected by drugs. The data will help the ਸਰਕਾਰ develop a more effective strategy to combat the drug problem.
Additionally, Cheema highlighted the state’s goal to reduce the revenue and fiscal deficits to 2.51% and 3.84%, respectively, by the end of the 2025-26 financial year.
