Punjab FY27 budget prioritizes women and welfare

Metro India News | CHANDIGARH

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the state’s budget for 2026-27, allocating Rs 2,60,437 crore. Speaking in the assembly, Cheema said this is the last budget of the Aam Aadmi Party government before the 2027 polls and highlighted that every promise made to the people has been fulfilled.

The budget is dedicated to the mothers and daughters of Punjab, recognizing their contribution to society and the state’s future. Key allocations include Rs 2,000 crore for the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, which provides cashless medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh per family per year. The health sector has been allocated Rs 6,879 crore, while education receives Rs 19,279 crore, marking a 7% increase over the previous year.

Cheema also announced a new scheme for women, under which 97% of adult women in the state will receive monthly financial support—Rs 1,000 for women and Rs 1,500 for Dalit women. For the agriculture sector, Rs 7,715 crore has been set aside for power subsidies, along with Rs 600 crore for stubble management machinery.

The Finance Minister described this budget as a defining moment in the government’s five-year journey. He emphasized that the AAP government has turned its promises into structured policy interventions with budgetary support, institutional reforms, and measurable outcomes, naming the document “Saari Guarantiyan Puri Karan Wala Budget.”

Cheema also acknowledged the resilience of Punjab’s people during last year’s floods, praising their unity in rebuilding homes and livelihoods.

Looking ahead, the state’s gross domestic product (GSDP) for 2026-27 is projected at Rs 9,80,635 crore with a 10% growth rate. The effective revenue deficit is expected to be 2.06% of GSDP, and the fiscal deficit at 4.08%. Cheema said these estimates reflect the government’s aim to balance responsible fiscal management with continued economic growth and welfare initiatives.