Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the state budget for the financial year 2025-26 on Wednesday, outlining a total expenditure of Rs 2.36 lakh crore.
Notably, the budget does not introduce any new taxes but remains silent on the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) pre-election promise of providing a Rs 1,100 monthly allowance to women, a decision that has been postponed once again.
Key highlights of 'Badlata Punjab Budget'
Overall Budget & Economic Growth
- Total Budget: Rs 2,36,080 crore
- Economic Growth Projection: Punjab’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) expected to grow by 10% in 2025-26
Sector-Wise Announcements
Health & Drug Control
New Drug Census Initiative: Punjab to conduct its first-ever 'Drug Census' to assess substance abuse across households (Rs 150 crore allocated).
Total Healthcare Budget: Rs 5,598 crore (10% increase from last year).
Aam Aadmi Clinics: 881 clinics established in three years; Rs 268 crore allocated.
Punjab State Health Insurance Scheme:
- Coverage for 65 lakh families.
- Rs 10 lakh annual insurance coverage.
- Rs 778 crore allocated.
- Emergency Response Vehicles: Rs 125 crore allocated.
- Anti-Drone System: Rs 110 crore set aside.
Sports & Youth Development
- Total Allocation: Rs 979 crore.
- Infrastructure Development:
- Sports grounds to be developed in every village.
- 3,000 indoor gyms to be constructed.
Rural & Urban Development
- Budget for Rural Development: Rs 3,500 crore.
- Pond Renovation & Cleaning: Implementation under the Seechewal & Thapar Model.
- Street Lighting Initiative: Expansion under the CM Street Light Scheme.
- Municipal Development Fund: Rs 225 crore.
- Rangla Punjab Development Scheme: Rs 585 crore (Rs 5 crore per Assembly constituency).
Infrastructure Upgrades
- Road Construction & Upgradation: Rs 2,873 crore allocated.
- World-Class Road Projects:
- Rs 140 crore allocated for the first phase (50 km) in Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Mohali.
Energy & Industrial Growth
- Free Electricity: Rs 7,614 crore allocated for providing 300 units of free power.
- Industrial Development: Rs 3,426 crore allocated.
- Rs 250 crore for financial incentives.
- Rs 80 crore for Unity Mall in Amritsar.
Agriculture & Environment
- Total Agriculture Allocation: Rs 14,524 crore.
- Crop Residue Management: Rs 500 crore allocated to prevent stubble burning.
- Agricultural Electricity Subsidy: Rs 9,992 crore.
- Organic Farming: Rs 137 crore allocated.
Irrigation Projects:
- Rs 3,246 crore for irrigation.
- Rs 100 crore for underground pipeline projects in Sangrur district.
- Forestry Development: Rs 281 crore allocated.
Social Welfare & Employment
- Pensions & Social Security: Rs 6,175 crore allocated.
- Aashirwad Scheme: Rs 1,177 crore set aside for the welfare of underprivileged women.
Scheduled Caste Welfare:
- Rs 13,987 crore allocated (34% increase from last year).
- Loan waiver for defaulters of the Punjab Scheduled Caste Land Development & Finance Corporation till March 31, 2020.
Education & Skill Development
- Total Education Budget: Rs 17,975 crore (12% increase).
- Primary School Initiative: 425 primary schools to be converted into 'Schools of Happiness'.
- New ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes): Rs 33 crore allocated for new institutions.
- Medical Education: Rs 1,336 crore allocated (27% increase).
- Public Universities: Rs 1,650 crore allocated.
Law & Order
- Total Allocation for Home & Jail Department: Rs 11,560 crore.
Security Enhancements:
- Jammers to be installed in 12 prisons.
- Rs 132 crore allocated for constructing new judicial complexes in Dera Bassi, Khanna, and Patran.
Women’s Welfare
- Rs 1,100 Monthly Allowance for Women: Decision on this AAP poll promise deferred once again.
Cultural & Heritage Preservation
- Special budget allocated for the 350th martyrdom anniversary celebrations of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
- Development of Sri Anandpur Sahib to be prioritised.
While the Punjab government has focused on strengthening healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare, the postponement of the Rs 1,100 monthly allowance for women has drawn attention.
Additionally, the introduction of a Drug Census marks a significant step in tackling the state's drug crisis. With an emphasis on economic growth, employment, and rural development, the ‘Badlata Punjab Budget’ aims to drive the state’s transformation in 2025-26.
Also Read: Punjab Budget: Tech extension centres to be set up in 6 dist
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