Punjab Budget 2023-24: Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Presents Budget in Vidhan Sabha Today

CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is presenting budget in the Vidhan Sabha today (Friday, March 10). Presenting the budget, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that this time his government is going to fulfill its many promises and guarantees. He claimed to take care of every class in the budget.

Cheema said that the budget of Punjab for the financial year 2023-24 will be worth Rs 1,96,462 Crores, which is 26 percent more than the previous year. In 2022-23, the total budget of Punjab was worth Rs 1,55,860 Crores. 

Cheema claimed that the AAP government's focus is on education and health sectors, but equal attention is being paid to other sectors. Cheema said that when his government assumed power, he inherited a huge debt, which was taken by the previous governments. Despite this, the AAP government is determined to take Punjab forward. He said, "Today marks one year of AAP's victory. We will definitely try to live up to the expectations of Punjabis."

Punjab's Budget for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare - Rs 13,888 crores

- An increase of 20% over last year
- A new agricultural policy will be brought soon to conserve natural resources
- Rs 1000 crore proposal for agricultural diversification
- 2,574 farmers will be recruited
- Rs 350 crore reserved for buying machines for stubble management
- Rs 125 crores for direct sowing of paddy and purchase of moong
- Free electricity will continue to benefit farmers. 
- Reserve Rs 9,331 crore for electricity subsidy

School and Higher Education- Rs 17,074 crores

-12% more than last year
- Rs 99 crores reserved for the maintenance of schools
- Rs 200 crores proposal for upgradation under 'School of Eminence'
- Rs 20 crores for the training of teachers
- Rs 615 crores reserved for improvement of technical education institutions
- Proposal of Rs 1,015 crores for medical education

Sports and Youth Services- Rs 258 crores

- An increase of 55% compared to last year
- New sports policy will be implemented soon
- Rs 35 crores for construction and upgradation of sports infrastructure
- Rs 3 crore for purchase of sports equipment
- Rs 53 crore for the infrastructure development of Patiala Sports University

Health and Family Welfare - Rs 4,781 crores 

- An increase of 11% over last year
- Rs 39 crores to strengthen secondary health services
- 142 more Aam Aadmi clinics will start soon
- Rs 18 crores for two AYUSH hospitals
- Rs 61 crores for 24 hour emergency response service
- For drug management- Rs 40 crores 
- Rs 17 crores for Homi Bhabha Cancer Centre

In 11 months, an investment of Rs 41.043 crores in Punjab

- 2.5 lakh employment opportunities will be created with the new investment
- Punjab's budget for employment and skill development is Rs 231 crores
- We will provide jobs to the youth in Punjab- Harpal Cheema