Chandigarh, March 26:
Punjab Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Industries and Commerce, Investment Promotion, and Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, has described the Punjab Budget 2025 as an all-round development budget for ‘Badalda Punjab.’ He stated that while this budget makes special efforts for the development of all villages in Punjab, it also prioritizes the prosperity of industries. Additionally, it focuses on preserving and showcasing Punjab’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
Sond emphasized that Punjab’s development is incomplete without transforming its villages. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has presented a detailed package to uplift infrastructure in all 12,581 villages of the state over the next two years. Under the slogan “Badalde Pind, Badalda Punjab,” the budget focuses on:Cleaning and rejuvenation of village ponds, Setting up sewage treatment systems as per the Seechewal-Thapar model and other cost-effective models,Restoring Nehri Khaals to provide canal water,Construction of village playgrounds, Installation of streetlights under the Mukh Mantri Street Light Yojana.A total of ₹3,500 crore has been allocated for these initiatives.
Sond also expressed gratitude to the Finance Minister for allocating ₹2,873 crore for the construction and upgradation of 18,944 km of rural link roads, which will be undertaken by the Punjab Mandi Board in the financial year 2025-26.
Furthermore, he praised the Finance Minister for steps taken to boost industries and for announcing a new industrial policy. He highlighted that these efforts will foster the growth of both small and large businesses, creating more quality jobs for the youth. Notably, the budget allocates ₹250 crore for financial incentives to industries—the highest in Punjab’s history. In contrast, the previous government spent only ₹53 crore over five years, while the one before that spent nothing at all.
To further promote national integration and showcase Punjab’s industrial and cultural diversity, the state government has proposed the construction of a Unity Mall in Amritsar. This mall will feature stalls representing all states/UTs and Punjab’s 23 districts, providing a platform for artisans and entrepreneurs to display and market their products. The government has allocated ₹80 crore for this project in the FY 2025-26 budget.
The budget also includes special provisions for MSMEs. To drive innovation and competitiveness, Punjab is facilitating the establishment of Technology Extension Centers (TEC) in key industrial hubs, including Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Patiala, and Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali). Sond welcomed the dedicated allocation of ₹10 crore for the upgradation of the Research and Development (R&D) Centre and the Institute of Auto Parts and Hand Tools Technology (IAHT) in Ludhiana.
The budget also places a strong emphasis on tourism and cultural promotion. To honor the 350th martyrdom of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, a series of state-level commemorative events will be held in FY 2025-26. Additionally, infrastructure development at sites associated with Guru Sahib’s visits will be undertaken, with a special focus on the holistic development of Sri Anandpur Sahib, the city founded by Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji.
A dedicated ₹10 crore budget has been earmarked to develop Nangal into a tourism hub by enhancing its infrastructure and promoting it as a key tourist destination.
In FY 2025-26, the government also proposes to construct a Heritage Street and an auditorium in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar at a cost of ₹54 crore. Additionally, 32 cultural programs, festivals, and plays on historical personalities will be organized across the state, reaffirming Punjab’s commitment to preserving its glorious history and cultural traditions.
Tarunpreet Singh Sond expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema for allocating ₹204 crore in the FY 2025-26 budget for these cultural and tourism initiatives.
