The Punjab government is reportedly planning to incur new debt amounting to Rs 49,900 crore, according to recent media reports. Out of the Rs 1.02 lakh crore budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government for 2025-26, a substantial portion will be allocated to salaries, pensions, electricity subsidies, and loan interest payments. This leaves only Rs 9,067 crore for developmental projects and other expenses. The budget, unveiled yesterday, includes Rs 450 crore for the free bus travel scheme for women, the same allocation as the current financial year. However, the scheme’s actual expendit

Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal has criticized the budget presented by the Bhagwant Mann government, calling it a betrayal of the people of Punjab. Badal described the budget as hollow and directionless, similar to those presented by the AAP government in its first three years, claiming it will only worsen the state's debt burden. He warned that Punjab’s debt is set to reach Rs 4.17 lakh crore, with an increase of Rs 1.54 lakh crore during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party. Additionally, Badal pointed out that the state government ha

The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has once again failed to fulfill its promise of providing Rs 1,100 per month to women in the state, even in this year’s budget. The guarantee was made by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal during the 2022 assembly elections upon the formation of the government in Punjab. In the budget presentation, themed "My Punjab, Changing Punjab," the state government focused on several initiatives, including a Rs 150 crore drug census to count the number of people using drugs in Punjab. Additionally, the government announced a scheme offering free treatment up to Rs 10

Senior Punjab Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Vidhan Sabha, Partap Singh Bajwa, criticized the state government for its recently announced budget. He alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party government has neglected all sections of society in its financial plan. Bajwa pointed out that while the government has proposed conducting a drug census in the state, it should begin from within the Punjab Vidhan Sabha itself. He suggested that the Chief Minister, cabinet ministers, and other MLAs undergo dope tests, with the results made public before the initiative extends to the general public

Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, raised the issue of the severe economic crisis in Punjab during today’s session. He stated that the state is burdened with a debt of Rs 3.74 lakh crore, and it has become increasingly difficult to pay the interest installments on this debt. Seechewal emphasized that Punjab is facing several serious challenges that require urgent attention, such as the significant decline in the groundwater level. The issues of debt and the water crisis in Punjab were raised at the center just ahead of the state’s budget presentation tomorrow, wh

Narayan Singh Chaura has been granted bail by an Amritsar court in connection with the shooting case involving former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal. Chaura had been in judicial custody for nearly four months. Chaura had attempted to shoot Sukhbir Singh Badal while he was performing religious duties at the gate of Sri Harmandir Sahib. While granting bail, the Amritsar court stated that the investigation into the case is nearly complete, and there is no compelling reason to keep the accused in jail any longer. The shooting incident occurred on December 3, and Chaura was arres

Amritpal Singh, MP from the Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Punjab and leader of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ organization, may be transferred to Punjab from Dibrugarh Jail in Assam in April. His National Security Act (NSA) detention is set to end on April 22. In addition, Amritpal Singh's associate, Pappalpreet Singh, could be brought back after April 10. Another associate, Varinder Singh Fauji, is also expected to be brought to Amritsar by the Punjab Police by tonight. He will be presented in the Ajnala court tomorrow, where his remand will be sought. A case has been filed against all

The Ministry of External Affairs of India has denied political clearance for Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian to visit the United States. Khudian was scheduled for an official trip from March 29 to April 6, but he has confirmed that he did not receive clearance for the visit. The delegation accompanying him has also been denied clearance. This is not the first instance of a Punjab leader being denied political clearance for an official foreign visit. Previously, the Central government had withheld approval for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other ministers to travel abroad

The Narendra Modi-led government in India has announced a 24 percent hike in the salaries of Members of Parliament (MPs). According to a notification issued on Monday, the new salary for current MPs, including allowances, will be Rs 1.24 lakh per month, up from the previous Rs 1 lakh. This salary increase will be effective from April 1, 2023. In addition to this, the pension for former MPs has also been raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 31,000. The last salary hike for MPs occurred in 2018, when then Finance Minister Arun Jaitley increased their salaries from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh.