'Badalda Punjab' Budget: Cashless health treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh & 8 other key announcements

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday tabled Aam Aadmi Party's fourth budget in the state assembly with the theme 'Badalda Punjab' with a total outlay of Rs 2.36 lakh crore. FM Cheema made a plethora of announcements in Punjab Budget 2025-26 and continued the 300-unit free electricity scheme. Furthermore, Cheema announced Punjab's first-ever drug census to accurately determine the number of drug users in Punjab. Punjab Budget 2025-26 mostly focused on improving the health infrastructure in the state as well as fighting the drug menace. Below is 8 key announcements made by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in Punjab Budget 2025-26- 

Punjab Budget 2025-26 Key Announcements

1. Punjab Finance Minister allocated Rs 1,336 crore for the healthcare sector, a 27% increase. Sehat card to be issued to all, which will allow to avail cashless treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh in government and private hospitals of state. Rs 778 crore has been allocated for this initiative of providing health insurance.
2. Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme: Rs 585 crore allocated to for carrying development works. Rs 5 crore to be spent in each of 117 constituencies.
3. Mukh Mantri Street Light Yojana: 2.5 lakh streetlights to be installed across the state. Rs 115 crore has been allocated for this. 
4. Khed-Da Punjab, Badalda Punjab: Providing necessary facilities for a locally popular sport in every village playground; setting up of 3,000 indoor gyms; to upgrade and modernize the 13 existing Centers of Excellence, etc.
5. Drug Census: Rs 150 crore to be spent next year on conducting a drug census in Punjab.
6. Industrial Promotion: Rs 250 crore allocated for industrial incentives under a new policy aimed at attracting investment. The sector received a total budget of Rs 3,426 crore.
7. AI-Based Security: AI-based CCTV cameras to be installed in Punjab jails for enhanced security.
8. Government Services: The cost of 406 government services reduced from ₹120 to ₹50 under the doorstep delivery scheme.

READ PUNJAB BUDGET 2025-26 IN DETAIL HERE