The North News
Chandigarh, March 26
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has presented a ₹2.36-lakh crore budget for 2025-26, prioritising agriculture, free electricity, drug control measures, and security enhancements. Cheema announced ₹14,524 crore for agriculture and allied sectors, alongside ₹9,992 crore to sustain free power for farmers. To tackle the drug crisis, ₹150 crore has been earmarked for a drug census, while ₹110 crore will be used to deploy anti-drone systems.
He highlighted the expansion of Punjab’s free power scheme, under which 90% of households receive 300 units of electricity at no cost. The budget also proposes continued financial support for free domestic power. Additionally, 2.5 lakh streetlights will be installed under the ‘Mukhya Mantri Street Light Yojana’ to enhance rural infrastructure.
He also said Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has improved its national ranking from “B” to “A,” now placing seventh in the country. Cheema criticised the previous Congress, BJP, and Akali governments, which he said had failed to address power shortages, forcing farmers to endure long hours of outages. On industrial growth, he said the state’s business climate has transformed, with investor confidence rebounding under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Over the past three years, Punjab has attracted investments worth ₹96,836 crore, with the industrial sector now contributing 27% to the state economy, he added.
To attract companies like Tata Steel and Santhan Group, a new industrial policy has been devised through district-level consultations. The budget allocates ₹250 crore in incentives for industries, a sharp rise from the ₹53 crore provided under the previous Congress administration.
In Amritsar, ₹120 crore has been earmarked for boosting MSMEs and developing a “Unity Mall,” while Ludhiana will receive ₹10 crore to upgrade auto parts and hand tools technology. The total industrial budget for 2025-26 stands at ₹3,426 crore.
