Chandigarh, February 21 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Saturday that his government would present its fifth budget on March 8, reiterating that it would once again be a "people-oriented budget" focused on the welfare of every section of society.
Mann made this announcement during his visit to Ahmedabad.
The Punjab CM, along with AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, was on a visit to Gujarat on Saturday.
Mann said that the government has consistently taken people-friendly and citizen-centric decisions that have transformed the state's trajectory.
He further said that his government would present the budget on March 8.
"The Punjab government will present its fifth budget in the month of March, and we will continue our tradition of presenting a people-oriented budget aimed at the welfare of all.
Our sole aim is to ensure the well-being of the common man, and we are making strenuous efforts to achieve this. The upcoming budget will again ensure immense benefit to the people of Punjab," said Mann.
On the issue of financial rights of states, Mann said that Punjab's legitimate share in the rural development fund has been "undemocratically stalled" by the Centre, a pattern seen in all non-BJP ruled states.
"In democracy, the government is of the people, for the people, and by the people. But today, it has become a trend to suppress the voice of the opposition. Just like a bouquet is admired for its variety of flowers, democracy thrives when every voice is heard," he alleged.
Mann asserted that his government does not discriminate while allocating funds for development.
"Wherever AAP has formed the government, taxpayers' money has been judiciously used for the welfare of the common man. After Delhi, the AAP government in Punjab has ensured optimum utilisation of every rupee for public good," he said.
Highlighting major welfare initiatives, Mann said that more than 90 per cent households in the state are receiving free power, and farmers are now getting electricity during the daytime, a reform that had never been implemented earlier.
"At a time when national assets are being handed over at throwaway prices to blue-eyed friends by the Union government, Punjab has created history by purchasing a private thermal plant. We have opened 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics to provide free healthcare, and government hospitals are delivering quality medical services to the people," he said.
