Punjab is expected to witness the presentation of the last budget of the Aam Aadmi Party’s five-year term tomorrow, March 8. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema is likely to unveil a budget worth over ₹2.50 lakh crore, with reports suggesting a focus on women, youth, education, healthcare, and public welfare ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
According to the reported and speculated information, the government could achieve its election manifesto for women by offering a plan through which every woman above the age of 18 could receive ₹1,000 every month. Although the government has not officially announced the details, it has been reported that the women who would receive the amount need to have a Punjab Aadhaar card and a voter ID, and working women, business women, pensioners, and taxpayers would not be able to receive the amount. It has been speculated that around 40 lakh women could receive the amount, and the amount could start being deposited from March 18.
The budget is being announced on International Women’s Day, which reflects the reported focus of the government on women’s issues.
According to the reported information, the budget could include provisions for offering 22,000 new government jobs, out of which 17,000 could be for the divyang (disabled people) quota. It has also been reported that the recruitment for 3,298 Punjab Police constable vacancies has already been initiated. The government has reportedly provided 63,000+ jobs to the people through transparent recruitment during the last four years.
The budget is expected to continue with the government’s stance of no new taxes, as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already stated. The government is expected to continue with its stance of no new taxes, as Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has already stated.
Speculations regarding the budget indicate that it will allocate funds for repairing and developing 19,491 km of rural roads and link roads. Industrial development is also expected to be included in the budget, which will introduce a new industrial policy, simplify industrial processes, and offer incentives for semiconductors, aerospace, AI, high-tech industries, especially in Mohali.
The government is expected to allocate funds for purchasing new buses, including electric buses, in the state. The free bus travel scheme for women is also expected to continue. The Pink Auto and e-auto schemes may also be implemented in other cities across the state. The modernization of bus stands is also expected, including enhancing safety for women across the state.
Education is likely to receive increased funding, including support for school and college infrastructure, teacher training, digital labs, and smart classrooms. Free coaching for competitive exams such as JEE and NEET for government school students may also be considered.
The Chief Minister Sehat Scheme may be expanded to cover additional families, offering cashless health insurance up to ₹10 lakh per year. Additional Aam Aadmi Clinics, kidney transplant facilities, PET scan centers, and new medical colleges could also be part of the budget.
Farmers are expected to continue receiving free electricity, along with subsidies for solar pumps, stubble management machines, and crop diversification initiatives.
The budget may include allocations for modernizing Punjab Police, including anti-drone systems, cybercrime centers, vehicles, and border security measures. Support for police personnel, housing, and scholarships for their children may also be included.
While the budget will be officially presented tomorrow, reports and speculations indicate that it is likely to prioritize women’s welfare, youth employment, education, healthcare, and public infrastructure, with no new taxes.
