Chandigarh, March 8: On International Women’s Day, the Punjab government unveiled a historic budget of ₹2,36,080 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the budget in the assembly, emphasizing its significance as it coincides with a day dedicated to celebrating women’s power, achievements, and aspirations. He stated that the government’s aim is to advance the vision of a “transforming Punjab.” The budget prioritizes key sectors such as health, education, rural development, industry, agriculture, sports, and social welfare.
The Finance Minister noted that Punjab’s economy has shown consistent resilience and structural stability over the past year. The estimated Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for the fiscal year 2025-26 is ₹28,91,487 crore, with projections for 2026-27 reaching ₹9,80,635 crore, reflecting an anticipated growth rate of 10%. This growth is supported by improved agricultural productivity, expanding service activities, and robust industrial momentum.
Cheema proposed a total budget expenditure of ₹12,60,437 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27. The effective revenue deficit is estimated at 2.06% of GSDP, while the fiscal deficit is projected at 4.08% of GSDP. These estimates affirm the government’s commitment to responsible financial management, continuous economic growth, and public welfare.
In his budget speech, Cheema highlighted that the promise of educational reform in Punjab has now transitioned towards structural change. Over the past four years, the focus has been on upgrading infrastructure, strengthening foundational education, and creating centers of excellence within the government school system. For the fiscal year 2026-27, he proposed a budget allocation of ₹19,279 crore for education, marking a 7% increase compared to the previous year.
The assembly also announced that women in Punjab will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from Scheduled Castes will receive ₹1,500 monthly. This amount will be transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts under the “Chief Minister Mothers-Daughters Honor Scheme.”
The Finance Minister reported that nearly 20,000 government schools have met both basic and advanced standards. Currently, 99% of schools have boundary walls, and 10,095 toilets have been constructed. The purchase of over 100,000 new desks ensures that no child sits on the floor. Additionally, 8,286 cleaning staff ensure daily cleanliness in schools, while over 3,000 security personnel maintain campus safety. Furthermore, 1,798 campus managers assist with school administration.
To meet needs, approximately 6,200 classrooms have been newly constructed, and 4,700 have been renovated. This year, ₹690 crore has been allocated to further strengthen school infrastructure, with a focus on a large-scale whitewashing and beautification campaign to reflect pride, cleanliness, and aspiration in every government school.
To intensify the ongoing anti-drug campaign, 5,000 home guard personnel will be deployed in border areas. Advanced anti-drone systems will be installed to combat smuggling via drones, with a budget provision of ₹110 crore. Additionally, a “Drug Census” will be conducted to study the spread of drugs and related socio-economic aspects, with a proposed budget of ₹150 crore.
Cheema stated that to enhance emergency service ‘112’, 758 four-wheelers and 916 two-wheelers will be purchased. The goal is to reduce emergency response time from 30 minutes to approximately 8 minutes, with a budget provision of ₹125 crore. A proposal of ₹53 crore has been made for a modern Dial-112 headquarters in Mohali.
To engage youth in sports, the “Khedda Punjab, Badalda Punjab” initiative will be launched, which includes building sports fields in villages and establishing around 3,000 indoor gyms. A budget of ₹979 crore has been allocated for the sports department.
Moreover, each family will receive cashless treatment coverage of up to ₹10 lakh annually, with a budget provision of ₹778 crore for this scheme. The health department has a total budget of ₹5,598 crore, while ₹2,873 crore will be spent on rural development. For urban infrastructure improvements, a budget of ₹225 crore has been allocated, along with plans to purchase 347 e-buses.
The government will continue its plan to provide domestic consumers with 300 units of free electricity each month, with a budget of ₹7,614 crore allocated for this initiative. A new industrial policy will be introduced to promote industries, with a provision of ₹250 crore.
For agriculture and related sectors, a budget of ₹14,524 crore has been set aside, while social justice and welfare schemes will receive ₹9,340 crore.
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OP/Piyush
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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