Punjab Budget 2022-23: AAP government make big announcements; main focus on education and Law and Order

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of Punjab is presenting its first budget. It is being presented to the Assembly by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema. Cheema stated that the budget expenditure for 2022–2023 has been estimated at one lakh 55 thousand 860 crores while giving the budget estimate. This is a 14% increase over 2021–2022. According to him, this involves a 66,440 crore annual expense.

The main focus in this year’s budget is on health, education and law and order sector of the state. A total Budget Expenditure of ₹1, 55,860 crore for the FY 2022-23 which reflects 14.20% growth compared to the FY 2021-22 is being presented in the assembly. The Revenue Deficit and Fiscal Deficit have been pegged at 1.99% and 3.78% respectively. The effective Outstanding Debt to GSDP has been estimated to be 45.23% for FY 2022-23.

The Budget Estimates of Capital Expenditure is pegged at ₹10,981 crore i.e. a growth of 8.95% over the previous year.

Let’s know about key points in the Budget 2022-23: 

An increased budgetary outlay of 16.27% has been provided in school and higher education; further a 47.84% increase in technical education and a whopping 56.60% increase in budget provisions for medical education have been provided in FY 2022-23.

Financial Support for upkeep of Government Schools:  The Government proposes to post ‘Estate Managers’ for a cluster of schools, so that while the principals remain focused on academics, basic and necessary repairs may get immediate attention. For this, budgetary allocation of ₹123 crore in FY 2022-23 has been made.

Skill Up-Gradation Program for Teachers/ School Heads/ Educational Administrators: An allocation of ₹30 crore for FY 2022-23 to impart short-term and medium-term training through reputed agencies/institutions of India and abroad.

Specialized Agencies to undertake Research Studies/Program Evaluation/ Impact Analysis of various Schemes/ Programs: The Government proposes to undertake services of specialized Agencies/ Research Institutes like CRRID/ IDC/ Panjab University/ NCERT/ NIEPA etc. for conducting impact and outcome analysis of various schemes currently being run in the Education sector such as Transfer Policy; Smart School Policy; Parho Punjab Paraho Punjab; English Booster Club etc. This would provide a feedback loop to refine these programs further making them more effective.

Schools of Eminence: Identified 100 existing schools that are to be upgraded as “Schools of Eminence”. These schools would be composite schools from Pre-Primary to 12th standard and would be equipped with superlative infrastructure like digital classrooms, fully equipped labs, vocational training facilities and trained faculty. A budgetary allocation of ₹200 crore has been earmarked for this purpose. 

Establishment of Modern Digital Classrooms in Government Schools: An allocation of ₹40 crore has been allocated for this during this financial year

Installation of Roof Top Solar Panel System in Government Schools: Scheme for installation of roof top solar panel systems in Government schools and allocate ₹100 crore for this purpose in the current financial year.

Up-gradation of Infrastructure including boundary-wall in Government Schools: A budgetary allocation ₹424 crore has been made in this budget of FY 2022-23 for this purpose. 

Uniforms for Students: An amount of ₹23 crore has been provisioned in FY 2022-23.

Punjab Young Entrepreneur Program: This program is aimed to instill financial and leadership skills in the students, which would equip them to take charge of their careers later in their life. An allocation of ₹50 crore during FY 2022-23 for this purpose has been made. 

Provision of Infrastructure Facilities in Nine New Libraries: an allocation of ₹30 crore in FY 2022-23 for providing infrastructure facilities in libraries of Government Colleges of 9 districts.

CM Scholarship to General Category Students for Giving Concession in University Fee: an allocation of ₹30 crore for this purpose

Technical education has been promoted by 45%. Medical education has been increased by 57%. ₹641 crore has been made with main focus on strengthening, modernization and expansion of the existing systems. 

To set up 16 New Medical Colleges making total 25 Medical Colleges in the State over a period of next 5 years covering every corner of the State. Propose ₹1,033 crore for medical education which is an increase of 56.60% over FY 2021-22.

The budget outlay for health sector with an allocation of ₹4,731 crore that is an increase of 23.80% over that of FY 2021-22.

Mohalla/ Pind Clinics: To establish 117 Mohalla Clinics an initial allocation of ₹77 crore is being proposed.

Establishment of Estate Management Unit (EMU): Two super specialty Hospitals one at Patiala and another one at Faridkot in the coming two years. Similarly three more super specialty hospitals shall be opened by 2027.

Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR): an allocation of ₹450 crore for DSR in FY 2022-23 to encourage farmers to switch to this water saving technique.

Checking Stubble Burning Practices: An allocation of ₹200 crore is hereby proposed in this budget.

Free electricity subsidy to farmers will continue. A budget of Rs 6947 crore has been kept for this purpose.

For the agriculture sector, Rs 11560 crore has been kept for 2022-23.

A budget of Rs 3163 crore has been kept for industrial development in Punjab, 48% more than the previous government.

An allocation of ₹1,170 crore, which is an increase of 35.67% compared to the last financial year. 

FREEDOM FIGHTERS: For the welfare of great freedom fighters and their families and an allocation of ₹16 crore for FY 2022-23 has been made

DEFENSE WELFARE : An allocation of ₹130 crore has been earmarked in FY 2022-23

Modernization of Police Forces: equip them with latest gadgets, technology and tools to tackle crime, maintain law and order and create a peaceful atmosphere in the State, an allocation of ₹108 crore is proposed. Cyber-crime control rooms shall be set up in all districts with an outlay of ₹30 crore.

Safety & Security of Common People:  ₹5 crore is proposed for installation of CCTV cameras at Mohali and similarly CCTV cameras will be installed in Police Mahila Mittar Kendras during FY 2022-23.

₹23,498 crore for FY 2022-23 across infrastructure sectors in Punjab. 

Liquor will earn Rs 9,648 crore. This is 56% more than last year.

GST collection is expected to increase by 27%. With this, there will be an increase of Rs 4350 in the exchequer of the government.

Earnings will increase by 17.8% percent compared to last year. 95,378 crore contribution will increase. No new tax will be imposed.

Road and Transportation: Rs 2102 crore will be earmarked for the construction and maintenance of Punjab roads, bridges and construction of buildings.

The major and minor rivers of Patiala will be rebuilt and the Budha Nala in Ludhiana will be renovated.

Surface water will be supplied in Amritsar and Jalandhar.