The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, presented its state budget for the financial year 2026–27 on March 8, 2026, coinciding with International Women’s Day. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the budget in the Punjab Legislative Assembly with a proposed outlay of around ₹2.60 lakh crore, describing it as a roadmap for fulfilling the government’s commitments to the people of the state.
The budget includes provisions for strengthening key sectors such as agriculture, education, health, urban infrastructure, and social welfare. Revenue receipts for the coming fiscal year are projected at about ₹1.26 lakh crore, while the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is estimated to reach nearly ₹9.8 lakh crore.
The government has also increased allocations for agriculture, which remains the backbone of Punjab’s economy. A total allocation of more than ₹15,000 crore has been earmarked for the agriculture sector. Several initiatives have been proposed, including subsidies for crop residue management to curb stubble burning, incentives for farmers to shift from paddy to maize cultivation in selected districts, and investments in climate-resilient horticulture crops.
Additionally, the budget proposes substantial spending on rural road infrastructure, with thousands of kilometers of link roads being upgraded across the state through financial assistance from NABARD and other agencies. The government has also increased allocations for urban development projects to improve municipal infrastructure and water security in major cities such as Amritsar and Ludhiana.
