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.
This covers wages, loans, pensions, etc. This represents an increase of 11.10% from the prior fiscal year. For which he discussed the repayment of inherited loans, the implementation of the sixth pay commission, and loan forgiveness.
A capital expenditure of Rs. 10,978 crore, he claimed, had been maintained. Where there has been a growth of 9% since the previous time. As a result, the state will be encouraged to attract investment.
Here are the key points from the Punjab Budget 2022-23:
- Old Age Home will be built in Mohali for the welfare and help of ex-servicemen.
- 67 crores has been kept for post matric scholarship. 79 crores has been kept for pre-matric scholarship.For education, in 2022-23, 16% more budget has been earmarked for school and higher education as compared to last year.
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office will be built in every district.
- This year 117 Mohalla Clinics will be opened. A provision of Rs 77 crore has been made for this. 75 Mohalla Clinics will start functioning from August 15.
- A budget of Rs 3163 crore has been kept for industrial development in Punjab. 48% more than the previous government.
- Will start home delivery of flour for poor people. A budget of 497 crores has been kept for this.
- A commercial commission will be set up in the state. Whose members will be traders and businessmen.
- VAT refund issues will be resolved in 6 months.
- Free electricity subsidy to farmers will continue. A budget of Rs 6947 crore has been kept for this purpose.
- A budget of Rs 4731 crore has been kept for health. Which is 24% more than last year.
- Punjab Young Entrepreneur Program will be started for the students studying in class 11th and 12th. Each student will get a prize of Rs 2000. A budget of 50 crores has been kept for this.
- In government schools, all students from pre-primary to class 8 will get uniform. 23 crore has been kept for this.
- 500 schools have been selected for modern classrooms in government schools. A budget of 40 crores has been kept for this.
- Solar systems will be installed on the roof in government schools.
- Short and medium term courses will be organized in the country and abroad for training programs and capacity building for teachers, school heads, educational administrators. 30 crores has been kept for this.
- Technical education has been promoted by 45%. Medical education has been increased by 57%.
- CM Scholarship has been started for the children of General Category. 30 crores has been kept for this. This amount will be given on the basis of marks obtained.
- 95 crore was earmarked for improving the infrastructure of all government colleges for higher education and for new colleges.
- It is proposed to set up 16 new medical colleges in the next 5 years to cover the state for medical education. 1033 crores was earmarked for medical education this year. This is 57% more than last year.
- Upgradation of Government Medical Colleges and increase in MBBS seats will be looked into.