Congress, BJP, and SAD Accuse AAP Government of Betrayal and Budgetary Neglect
Chandigarh, March 26: The Punjab Budget for 2025–26, presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has sparked a political storm in the state assembly, with the opposition parties – Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) – launching a scathing attack on the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
The opposition denounced the Rs 2.36 lakh crore budget as “disappointing” and “deceitful,” alleging that it failed to deliver on key poll promises, especially the much-publicised monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 for women.
BJP Calls Budget "Regressive", Slams Lack of Vision
BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh labelled the budget as "a bundle of regressive vision" that lacks substance and developmental direction. Chugh criticised the absence of new initiatives for farmers and industrialists and slammed the government's silence on employment generation.
“The AAP government’s failure to grant Rs 1,000 to women reflects how insensitive it is to their issues,” said Chugh, adding that the budget offered no roadmap for micro, small, and medium enterprises or for tackling the state’s mounting unemployment.
He also highlighted the ballooning state debt, arguing it demonstrated the government’s inability to manage Punjab’s economy effectively.
Congress Dubs Budget “A Plethora of Lies”
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa of the Congress Party did not mince words, calling the budget “a plethora of lies and deceitfulness.” He accused the AAP government of neglecting every major section of society — women, farmers, students, service class, and businesses.
Bajwa pointed out that Punjab’s debt would rise to Rs 3.96 lakh crore by the end of FY26, up from Rs 2.73 lakh crore when AAP took office in March 2022.
“The Rs 14,524 crore allocation for agriculture is a cruel joke on farmers,” said Bajwa, while also slamming the budget for failing to significantly boost education and healthcare spending. He said weaker sections would continue to suffer due to the government’s inefficiency.
SAD Accuses AAP of “Betrayal”, Alleges Discrimination
SAD president and former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal also lambasted the budget, accusing the AAP government of “betraying Punjabis” and backtracking on critical promises.
Badal criticised the meagre Rs 10,000 crore capital expenditure allocation, saying it left “virtually no funds for development” while debt ballooned to Rs 4.17 lakh crore, including Rs 1.54 lakh crore added during AAP’s rule.
“There is no mention of Rs 1,000 monthly aid to women, no unemployment allowance, no increase in old age pensions to Rs 2,500, and no plans for new thermal power plants,” said Badal.
He also took issue with the delay in drug eradication efforts, calling the government’s new two-year timeline an “admission of failure.” On healthcare infrastructure, Badal criticised the reduction in planned new medical colleges from 16 to just one over the next two years.
Budget Highlights by Finance Minister Cheema
Despite the criticism, FM Harpal Singh Cheema outlined several initiatives in his budget speech, including:
- Launch of the ‘Rangla Punjab Vikas’ scheme for holistic development
- Doubling of health insurance cover to Rs 10 lakh per family
- Provisions to address the drug menace
- Extended health insurance to all families
However, the omission of key welfare promises, particularly financial aid for women and pension increases, has left the opposition unconvinced and the public demanding answers.
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