Punjab’s fiscal burden, which is now at Rs 2.92 lakh crores, is set to reach Rs 3.27 lakh crores by next fiscal. The Aam Aadmi Party government of Punjab presented its first full budget in the assembly on Friday. No new tax has been imposed in the budget.
Apart from this, the promise of giving 1000 rupees per month to women has not been fulfilled this time either. However, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that his government would fulfill all its guarantees. A budget of Rs 1 lakh, 96 thousand, and 462 crore was presented for the financial year 2023–24. This is 26 percent more than last year.
The budget of Punjab in 2022–23 was Rs 1 lakh, 55 thousand, and 860 crore rupees. In his budget speech, Cheema said that his government inherited debt but that the AAP government will still take Punjab forward.
A provision of Rs 231 crore has been made in the budget for employment and skill development. Rs 1015 crore will be spent on medical education and research. A budget of Rs 4781 crore has been kept for the Family and Health Department. 142 Aam Aadmi clinics will start soon. 10 lakh patients benefited from the Aam Aadmi Clinic.
A provision of 3,133 crore has been made for industries in the budget. Rs 8678 crore have been allocated for social welfare. A provision of 3297 crore has been made for the renovation of roads and bridges. Rs 3319 crore will be spent for rural development.
A budget provision of Rs 13,888 crore has been kept in the agriculture sector, which is 20 percent more than the previous year. Arrangement of Rs 9331 crore for providing free electricity to the farmers. An initial budget provision of Rs 1,000 crore has been made for the special scheme on diversification.