The Punjab government has presented its biggest-ever budget of Rs 2,36,080 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. This budget aims to transform Punjab from its past economic struggles into a vibrant and progressive state. Despite previous governments’ failures that led to the perception of a financially weak Punjab, the current government is committed to making the state prosperous and self-sufficient. For the fourth consecutive year, no new tax has been imposed on the people. With major allocations towards health, education, employment, agriculture, and industrial growth, the state is set to witness significant development in both rural and urban areas.
In a landmark decision for the healthcare sector, the government has announced two major initiatives. The state has decided to expand its health insurance scheme to cover all 65 lakh families, ensuring that every resident, regardless of their economic status, can benefit from it. Additionally, the government has increased the insurance cover for all families to Rs 10 lakh per annum, including an extra top-up of Rs 5 lakh for those already covered under the central government’s scheme. To facilitate this, all families under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme will receive health cards, allowing them access to cashless treatment in government and private hospitals across Punjab. A budget of Rs 778 crore has been allocated for this purpose.
The Punjab government has also prioritized its fight against the growing drug menace in the state. A significant Rs 5,598 crore has been set aside for the health sector, including drug de-addiction programs. Under the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) initiative, the state will conduct Punjab’s first-ever drug census. This comprehensive survey will assess drug prevalence, the effectiveness of de-addiction centers, and the socio-economic impact of substance abuse. By collecting household-level data, the government aims to develop a targeted strategy to eradicate drug abuse from Punjab.
While the budget focuses on various developmental initiatives, it remained silent on the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) 2022 election promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to every woman above 18 years of age. This unfulfilled promise has left many women disappointed, as they were expecting an announcement in this budget. The scheme, which was projected to cost over Rs 13,000 crore annually, was one of AAP’s major campaign strategies before coming to power.
Agriculture, education, and employment have also been given a major boost in the 2025-26 budget. Farmers will benefit from Rs 10,000 crore allocated towards subsidies and loan waivers. The education sector will see the establishment of 3,500 new smart classrooms and 200 model schools. The health infrastructure will be strengthened with the opening of 50 new Mohalla Clinics and the upgradation of government hospitals with an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore. In an effort to promote entrepreneurship among the youth, a Rs 1,000 crore startup fund has been introduced. Additionally, Rs 500 crore has been dedicated to new welfare schemes for women, while Rs 8,000 crore has been earmarked for infrastructure development. Measures to curb corruption and improve financial transparency have also been outlined.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, while presenting the budget, emphasized that the revenue deficit and fiscal deficit are expected to be 2.51% and 3.84% respectively by the end of the 2025-26 financial year. The budget reflects the government’s efforts towards fiscal consolidation while prioritizing social welfare and economic growth.
This budget lays the foundation for a progressive and economically stable Punjab. By focusing on health, education, employment, and infrastructure, the government aims to uplift the state and enhance the quality of life for its residents. While the budget has been appreciated for its people-friendly approach, certain unfulfilled promises continue to raise concerns among the public.
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(Inputs taken from the web. This is a web-generated news report.)