Punjab Finance Minister presents Rs 2.36 lakh crore budget, focuses on drug issue and industry

Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s fourth budget on Wednesday, unveiling a Rs 2.36 lakh crore plan under the theme Mera Punjab, Badal Punjab.

The budget is about 15% higher than the previous one but did not include the promised Rs 1,100 monthly allowance for women, the party had guaranteed before the elections.

A major focus of the budget is addressing drug addiction. The government has allocated Rs 150 crore for a drug census to determine the number of drug users in Punjab. Under the health insurance scheme, 65,000 families will receive free treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh.

For industrial growth, the government has set aside Rs 250 crore to promote a new policy. The 300-unit free electricity scheme will continue, with Rs 7,614 crore allocated for it. No new taxes were introduced in the budget.

Before presenting the budget, Cheema signed its copy at his official residence and later met Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.