The North News
Chandigarh, March 26
Punjab Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, hailed the Punjab Budget 2025 as a comprehensive roadmap for ‘Badalda Punjab,’ emphasizing its focus on rural development, industrial growth, and cultural preservation. Sond highlighted that the budget prioritizes the transformation of Punjab’s 12,581 villages under the slogan “Badalde Pind, Badalda Punjab.” Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has allocated ₹3,500 crore for various rural initiatives, including cleaning and rejuvenation of village ponds, establishing sewage treatment systems based on the Seechewal-Thapar model and other cost-effective methods, restoring Nehri Khaals to ensure canal water supply, constructing village playgrounds, installing streetlights under the Mukh Mantri Street Light Yojana.
Sond also expressed gratitude for the allocation of ₹2,873 crore for the construction and upgradation of 18,944 km of rural link roads by the Punjab Mandi Board in FY 2025-26, aimed at improving connectivity.
Emphasizing industrial growth, Sond lauded the new industrial policy, which aims to boost businesses and generate employment opportunities. A record ₹250 crore has been allocated for financial incentives to industries—significantly higher than the ₹53 crore spent by the previous government over five years.
To promote national integration and showcase Punjab’s industrial and cultural diversity, the state government has proposed constructing a Unity Mall in Amritsar with an ₹80 crore allocation. The mall will feature stalls representing all states and UTs, along with Punjab’s 23 districts, providing a platform for artisans and entrepreneurs.
The budget also includes key provisions for MSMEs, including the establishment of Technology Extension Centers (TEC) in industrial hubs such as Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Patiala, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali). Additionally, ₹10 crore has been earmarked for upgrading the Research and Development (R&D) Centre and the Institute of Auto Parts and Hand Tools Technology (IAHT) in Ludhiana.
Recognizing Punjab’s cultural heritage, the budget prioritizes tourism and historical preservation. The state will commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with state-level events and infrastructure enhancements at related sites, including holistic development at Sri Anandpur Sahib. Additionally, ₹10 crore has been allocated to transform Nangal into a tourism hub.
Further cultural initiatives include the construction of a Heritage Street and an auditorium in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar at a cost of ₹54 crore. The government also plans to organize 32 cultural programs, festivals, and plays celebrating Punjab’s historical figures.
Sond expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema for earmarking ₹204 crore in the FY 2025-26 budget for cultural and tourism projects, reinforcing Punjab’s commitment to preserving its rich history and traditions.
