Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann exhorted the Punjabi Diaspora to play a proactive role in restoring the pristine glory of Punjab while addressing a gathering during India International Week.

Extending a warm welcome to the distinguished dignitaries who arrived from across the world to the sacred land of Punjab, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the delegation includes eminent legal scholars, heads of legal institutions, lawyers, and other distinguished personalities. He profusely thanked the organizers of India International Disputes Week-2026 for choosing Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab, as the venue to bring together respected legal minds from across the world on a single platform.

The Chief Minister said he was delighted to know that the delegation also includes Sikh lawyers, judges, and other eminent Sikh personalities from the USA, UK, Canada, and Singapore who have come to the sacred land of their ancestors. “Among them are several distinguished personalities who, through their talent, dedication, and hard work, have achieved great success abroad. I personally feel proud of their achievements and these moments are equally a matter of pride for all Punjabis,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.

Welcoming the guests, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Government of Punjab feels honored to host you all. Punjab is the sacred land of great Gurus, saints, and spiritual leaders. The state is known as the land of brave and hardworking people. Our soldiers safeguard the borders, while our farmers ensure the nation’s food security. Therefore, Punjab is proudly known as the ‘Food Bowl and Sword Arm of India’.”

Highlighting the social fabric of the state, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab is a peaceful state where harmony, mutual respect, and brotherhood are so strong that hatred cannot germinate. Punjabis have always set a beautiful example of communal harmony before the world. The holy city of Amritsar is known as a symbol of universal brotherhood, where sacred sites such as Sri Harmandir Sahib, Durgiana Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal, and Jallianwala Bagh are located.”

Speaking about the significance of the legal forum, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “India International Disputes Week is a platform that brings together judges, senior lawyers, law firms, young lawyers, intellectuals, and institutions from across the world. Over the course of five days, discussions will be held on various important legal subjects including Domestic Violence, Financial Crime, Public Interest Litigation, Environmental Law, Media Regulation, Mediation Strategy, Cross-Border Settlements, and other key topics. I hope that this initiative will also prove beneficial and meaningful for the common people.”

Highlighting the efforts of the Punjab Government to strengthen the justice delivery system, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann noted, “To strengthen the justice delivery system and ensure timely justice for citizens, 159 Law Officers have been recruited since 2022. To make government laws and rules accessible to the public, 53 Acts of various departments of the Punjab Government have been translated into Punjabi and uploaded on the Indian Code Portal of the Government of India. A Special Court has also been established in Mohali under the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Act.”

He further said, “Six Special NRI Courts have been established in the districts of Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Moga, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar. Fast Track Special Courts have been set up in Sangrur and Tarn Taran. Since 2023, an amount of ₹48.82 crore has been spent on improving the infrastructure of courts across Punjab. The Punjab Government is making strenuous efforts to ensure that justice is accessible to all people, especially those from weaker and underprivileged sections of society.”

On the occasion, Speaker of Punjab Vidhan Sabha Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Harbhajan Singh ETO, Dr Balbir Singh, Dr Ravjot Singh, Gurmeet Singh Khudian and Barinder Goyal, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha and others were also present.

CHANDIGARH, March 8:

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has fulfilled its biggest electoral promise, unveiling the ‘Mukh Mantri Mawaan Dhian Satkar Yojna’ to provide monthly financial assistance to women across Punjab. Under the scheme, women will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women from Scheduled Caste communities will receive ₹1,500, with ₹9,300 crore earmarked in the state Budget for its implementation.

Describing the move as a major step towards strengthening women’s financial independence, the CM said the AAP government’s “Saari Guarantiyan Puri” Budget reflects its commitment to delivering on poll promises while expanding welfare measures such as free bus travel, free power and cashless healthcare to empower women and support households across the state.

Interacting with the media, Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann congratulated the mothers, daughters and sisters of Punjab and prayed that they continue to script new success stories in every field. He said the Budget was presented on the day with a special focus on women, fulfilling a key promise made by the AAP government to empower them socially and economically. The Budget is pro-people and ensures that women and other sections of society receive support through welfare measures and public services.

“The AAP government has fulfilled the biggest poll promise made to the people. Women in the state will now receive ₹1,000 per month under the Mukh Mantri Mawaan Dhian Satikar Yojna, while women belonging to the Scheduled Caste community will get ₹1,500 every month,” said CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. He added that special camps will be organised across the state so that women can easily complete the formalities required to avail the benefit of the scheme.

The Punjab CM shared that the registration process for the financial assistance scheme will begin from the coming Baisakhi and will be carried out on a war footing so that all eligible beneficiaries can be covered at the earliest. Every girl above the age of 18 years will be entitled to receive the benefit under the scheme, ensuring that a vast majority of women in the state are covered.

Describing the Budget as a milestone document, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said it reflects the government’s commitment to the welfare of the people and the progress of the state. “This is not merely a Budget but an affidavit of the progress of the state and the prosperity of its people,” he said, congratulating Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema for presenting a Budget that takes care of every section of society.

Taking a dig at previous governments, he added that earlier budgets often remained confined to announcements on paper and failed to deliver meaningful benefits to the people. During the tenure of earlier regimes, budgets were limited to rhetoric and poetic references rather than concrete policies aimed at improving the lives of citizens.

Highlighting the broader welfare initiatives of the AAP government, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said several schemes are being implemented to empower women, including free bus travel, free power and cashless treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna. “Cashless treatment, free bus travel, free power, ₹1,000 per month and other initiatives will empower women and strengthen their role in society,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann asserted that the government has adequate financial resources to implement its programmes effectively. “We have no dearth of money as our intentions are clear,” he said, adding that the state government has improved financial management and ensured that public funds are used for welfare and development.

The Punjab CM emphasised that the government is working honestly, which is why major improvements are visible in sectors such as education, healthcare and infrastructure. “We are working honestly due to which schools, hospitals, roads and Aam Aadmi Clinics are coming up across the state,” he said.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann further stated that the government has taken significant steps to improve power supply, strengthen irrigation systems and ensure that farmers receive adequate electricity. Thermal power plants are being purchased, canal water is reaching tail-end farmers and electricity tariffs are being rationalised for the benefit of consumers.

He added that in the past four years the state government has delivered all the guarantees promised to the people and also implemented several additional measures such as closing toll plazas that were burdening commuters. These steps reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring that people receive tangible benefits from governance.

Speaking about investments in education and sports, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann shared, “The Budget has increased the allocation for education by seven per cent, while ₹1,791 crore has been earmarked for promoting sports infrastructure and activities across the state. Promoting sports is one of the most effective ways to channel the energy of youth in a positive direction.”

“With the promotion of sports, the unbounded energy of youth is being utilised for excelling in sports. Youth who are involved in sports have no time even to look at drugs because they are using all their energy to excel in their respective fields. Promoting sports will help the state government in its fight against drug abuse and will encourage young people to focus on building a healthier and more productive future,” he asserted.

CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said the government is carefully utilising every rupee of public money for the development of the state and the welfare of its people. He added that leakages in the system have been effectively checked and the resources saved are now being invested in programmes that directly benefit the common man. The sole aim of the AAP government is to ensure the progress and prosperity of the state.

Chandigarh:

In a response to the Punjab budget for FY 2026-27 tabled in the Vidhan Sabha today, Punjab’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, lauded the state government’s commitment to the agrarian economy, describing the budget as a significant instrument of transformation for the farming community. This budget ensures that the backbone of the nation’s food security is not left to fend for itself.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted the state’s crucial role in national food security, stating the government’s Rs 15,377 crore allocation for agriculture and allied sectors in the 2026-27 budget underscores its commitment to sustaining this contribution. It is a targeted intervention to strengthen resilience, drive crop diversification, ensure sustainability and guarantee farmer welfare, he added.

Elaborating the government’s proactive approach to water conservation, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted the success of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) adoption. “The state disbursed ₹35 crore in FY 2025-26 to incentivise water-saving techniques, with ₹40 crore allocated for next year,” he said, while urging farmers to adopt DSR to address labour shortages and groundwater depletion.

The Agriculture Minister also expressed satisfaction over the pilot project encouraging a shift from paddy to kharif maize in six districts—Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Sangrur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala. With an incentive of ₹17,500 per hectare and a dedicated allocation of ₹15 crore for 2026-27, he noted that the government is building a robust model for alternative cropping patterns.

“By extending a 33 percent subsidy on PAU-recommended hybrid seeds, we have not only supported our farmers financially but have also reversed the declining trend in cotton cultivation,” he asserted .

Addressing the perennial challenge of stubble burning, the Agriculture Minister highlighted the government’s aggressive push for mechanisation. He noted that ₹402 crore was utilised in FY 2025–26 to provide subsidy on stubble management machinery. With an enhanced budgetary provision of ₹600 crore for FY 2026-27, he assured that the state is on track to offer a sustainable solution to this environmental challenge .

S. Khudian highlighted the allocation of ₹7,715 crore towards power subsidy for agriculture, ensuring the continuation of free and subsidised power to sustain irrigation and productivity .

Strengthening Allied Sectors for Rural Prosperity, the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister underscored the bolstering of allied sectors to strengthen rural livelihoods. He welcomed the Rs 100 crore provision aimed at ensuring fair milk procurement prices for dairy farmers, safeguarding them against market fluctuations and supporting small and marginal producers. In the fisheries sector, he applauded the expansion of aquaculture, noting the production of over 1,500 lakh quality fish seed and the addition of nearly 3,000 acres under fish culture. “These measures are strengthening income diversification and employment generation across the state,” he added .

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated, “This budget reflects the vision of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann—where the farmer is not just a food provider but the focus of governance. We are not just allocating funds, we are securing the future of Punjab’s agrarian economy and the dignity of its annadatas.”

Chandigarh:

Describing the Budget presented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government as progressive and farmer-centric, Water Resources and Mining Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that the financial roadmap would further accelerate irrigation reforms and bring greater transparency and efficiency in the mining sector across the state.

Appreciating the focus on strengthening water management infrastructure in the budget, the Cabinet Minister said that the government has achieved a historic milestone by doubling canal irrigation capacity within three years. Canal irrigation coverage which stood at 2.23 million acres in 2022 will expand to 5.3 million acres by April 2026.

Barinder Kumar Goyal said the government has proposed a budgetary outlay of Rs.2971 crore for the Water Resources sector in 2026-27, with a strong focus on expanding canal irrigation and strengthening last-mile connectivity through pipelines and brick-lined watercourses. These initiatives are expected to restore irrigation coverage to around five lakh hectares, taking the total area under canal irrigation close to 70 lakh acres, which is nearly 90 percent of the designed canal irrigated area.

The Cabinet Minister informed that the government has undertaken the remodelling of the Mahorana Distributary and construction of the Malerkotla Minor at a cost of Rs.288 crore to address the long-pending irrigation demands of farmers in the Malerkotla region. The project will provide canal water for the first time to 55 villages covering nearly 44,000 acres, while Rs.190 crore has been earmarked for this initiative in 2026-27.

He said that similarly, the Kathgarh Lift Scheme Stage-II has also been announced in the budget to bring canal water for the first time to the semi-hilly and water-scarce region of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr) district, for which the government has made a provision of Rs.107 crore. Through this project, water will be lifted from the Bist Doab Canal to provide irrigation facilities to nearly 5,500 acres of command area across 24 villages. This initiative will reduce dependence on groundwater and is also expected to result in significant power savings, he added.

Barinder Kumar Goyal said systematic cleaning, lining and modernization of canals and watercourses has led to a significant increase in surface water utilisation which has now reached 6.6 million acre feet registering a 13 percent rise. In a major breakthrough, canal water has reached 1,365 locations for the first time, reviving villages that had remained deprived of canal irrigation for nearly 20 to 50 years.

The Water Resources Minister said the government has also taken decisive steps to strengthen flood resilience in the state. After the 2025 floods, a scientific assessment of major rivers identified 371 flood protection and mitigation projects worth over Rs.1500 crore. Out of these, 142 projects amounting to Rs.489 crore are targeted for completion by March 31, 2026 while the remaining works will be undertaken during 2026-27.

Highlighting ongoing drainage improvement measures, Barinder Kumar Goyal said flood protection and drain desilting works worth Rs.65 crore have been executed during the current year. Nearly 3,000 kilometres of drains across several districts have been cleaned which has substantially improved drainage capacity. He added that execution through departmental machinery resulted in around 60 percent savings of public funds.

The Minister further informed that the government has launched a comprehensive programme for rehabilitation and lining of canals during the current financial year. Works worth Rs.1153 crore have already been undertaken with the aim of bringing four lakh hectares under improved irrigation coverage.

Giving details about major infrastructure projects, he said the Ferozepur Feeder strengthening project is being implemented to enhance the carrying capacity of the canal system from 11,245 cusecs to 13,845 cusecs. During 2025-26, 17 kilometres of canal lining has been completed at a cost of Rs.195 crore, which will ensure better water supply to tail-end regions including Abohar and Fazilka and enable the state to utilise its full share of canal water.

Highlighting reforms in the mining sector, the Minister said Punjab has secured first rank in the State Mining Readiness Index announced by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, reflecting the success of transparent governance and scientific mining practices adopted by the state government.

He said the Mann government has strengthened the regulatory framework through key legislative and policy reforms, enabling registration and regulation of crusher units and mineral dealers while ensuring digital monitoring of the minor mineral value chain from extraction to consumption.

The Minister added that amendments in the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules have created new categories such as Crusher Mining Sites and Landowner Mining Sites, facilitating transparent and time-bound contracts and allowing landowners to undertake regulated mining operations on their land.

Barinder Kumar Goyal further said strong enforcement measures, establishment of check posts at border areas and introduction of a modernised auction process have significantly boosted revenue generation in the mining sector. As a result, the state’s mining revenue has more than doubled within a year from Rs.260 crore to over Rs.500 crore.

CHANDIGARH, March 8:

          Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Sunday described the Budget for Financial Year 2026-27 as a landmark document that prioritises the health and well-being of every Punjabi.

          While hailing the budget presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Dr Balbir Singh stated that the health sector budget has been increased by 23% compared to the previous year, reaching ₹6,879 crore. He emphasised that this allocation will ensure accessible, affordable, and quality medical services across the state.

          The Health Minister highlighted that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is a historic reform providing universal health insurance of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually. An allocation of ₹2,000 crores is proposed in FY 2026-27 will benefit 65 lakh families in the state.

          To further strengthen primary healthcare, ₹351 crore has been earmarked for Aam Aadmi Clinics. Currently, 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics are providing 107 essential medicines and 47 diagnostic tests free of cost, and have recorded nearly 5 crore OPD visits, including 1.55 crore unique patients.

          Dr Balbir Singh said that 100 additional Aam Aadmi Clinics are being operationalised during the current year. In the coming year, 143 new Aam Aadmi Clinics will be operationalised, and 308 Subsidiary Health Centres will be transformed into Aam Aadmi Clinics to broaden coverage, taking the total number of Aam Aadmi Clinics setup by the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government in five years to 1,432.

          Furthermore, a modern Trauma Centre will be established at Sri Anandpur Sahib to provide timely emergency and critical care services.

          In the field of Medical Education and Research, which received an allocation of ₹1,220 crore, Dr Balbir Singh noted that Punjab is rapidly becoming a premier medical education hub. He detailed that seven new medical colleges are being established in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, SBS Nagar, Lehragaga, Malerkotla, and Ludhiana, adding 600 new MBBS seats. Specifically for Malerkotla, 38.50 acres of land has been purchased at a cost of ₹49 crore for the new medical college.

          Extending his greetings on International Women’s Day, Dr Balbir Singh congratulated the women of Punjab for the launch of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna. He lauded this as the world’s first universal cash transfer scheme, providing ₹1,000 per month to all adult women and ₹1,500 per month to those from the SC community. With a budgetary outlay of ₹9,300 crore, this scheme fulfils a major guarantee of the Bhagwant Mann led Punjab government, ensuring tangible financial security and dignity for nearly 97% of adult women across the state.

Describing the Budget presented by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government as progressive and farmer-centric, Water Resources and Mining Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that the financial roadmap would further accelerate irrigation reforms and bring greater transparency and efficiency in the mining sector across the state.

Appreciating the focus on strengthening water management infrastructure in the budget, the Cabinet Minister said that the government has achieved a historic milestone by doubling canal irrigation capacity within three years. Canal irrigation coverage which stood at 2.23 million acres in 2022 will expand to 5.3 million acres by April 2026.

Barinder Kumar Goyal said the government has proposed a budgetary outlay of Rs.2971 crore for the Water Resources sector in 2026-27, with a strong focus on expanding canal irrigation and strengthening last-mile connectivity through pipelines and brick-lined watercourses. These initiatives are expected to restore irrigation coverage to around five lakh hectares, taking the total area under canal irrigation close to 70 lakh acres, which is nearly 90 percent of the designed canal irrigated area.

The Cabinet Minister informed that the government has undertaken the remodelling of the Mahorana Distributary and construction of the Malerkotla Minor at a cost of Rs.288 crore to address the long-pending irrigation demands of farmers in the Malerkotla region. The project will provide canal water for the first time to 55 villages covering nearly 44,000 acres, while Rs.190 crore has been earmarked for this initiative in 2026-27.

He said that similarly, the Kathgarh Lift Scheme Stage-II has also been announced in the budget to bring canal water for the first time to the semi-hilly and water-scarce region of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr) district, for which the government has made a provision of Rs.107 crore. Through this project, water will be lifted from the Bist Doab Canal to provide irrigation facilities to nearly 5,500 acres of command area across 24 villages. This initiative will reduce dependence on groundwater and is also expected to result in significant power savings, he added.

Barinder Kumar Goyal said systematic cleaning, lining and modernization of canals and watercourses has led to a significant increase in surface water utilisation which has now reached 6.6 million acre feet registering a 13 percent rise. In a major breakthrough, canal water has reached 1,365 locations for the first time, reviving villages that had remained deprived of canal irrigation for nearly 20 to 50 years.

The Water Resources Minister said the government has also taken decisive steps to strengthen flood resilience in the state. After the 2025 floods, a scientific assessment of major rivers identified 371 flood protection and mitigation projects worth over Rs.1500 crore. Out of these, 142 projects amounting to Rs.489 crore are targeted for completion by March 31, 2026 while the remaining works will be undertaken during 2026-27.

Highlighting ongoing drainage improvement measures, Barinder Kumar Goyal said flood protection and drain desilting works worth Rs.65 crore have been executed during the current year. Nearly 3,000 kilometres of drains across several districts have been cleaned which has substantially improved drainage capacity. He added that execution through departmental machinery resulted in around 60 percent savings of public funds.

The Minister further informed that the government has launched a comprehensive programme for rehabilitation and lining of canals during the current financial year. Works worth Rs.1153 crore have already been undertaken with the aim of bringing four lakh hectares under improved irrigation coverage.

Giving details about major infrastructure projects, he said the Ferozepur Feeder strengthening project is being implemented to enhance the carrying capacity of the canal system from 11,245 cusecs to 13,845 cusecs. During 2025-26, 17 kilometres of canal lining has been completed at a cost of Rs.195 crore, which will ensure better water supply to tail-end regions including Abohar and Fazilka and enable the state to utilise its full share of canal water.

Highlighting reforms in the mining sector, the Minister said Punjab has secured first rank in the State Mining Readiness Index announced by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, reflecting the success of transparent governance and scientific mining practices adopted by the state government.

He said the Mann government has strengthened the regulatory framework through key legislative and policy reforms, enabling registration and regulation of crusher units and mineral dealers while ensuring digital monitoring of the minor mineral value chain from extraction to consumption.

The Minister added that amendments in the Punjab Minor Mineral Rules have created new categories such as Crusher Mining Sites and Landowner Mining Sites, facilitating transparent and time-bound contracts and allowing landowners to undertake regulated mining operations on their land.

Barinder Kumar Goyal further said strong enforcement measures, establishment of check posts at border areas and introduction of a modernised auction process have significantly boosted revenue generation in the mining sector. As a result, the state’s mining revenue has more than doubled within a year from Rs.260 crore to over Rs.500 crore.

Chandigarh:

Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Sh. Anil Vij extended his greetings to women on the occasion of International Women’s Day, stating that women have achieved remarkable accomplishments across every field and the day reminds everyone to support and honor their contributions.

Several women visited Minister Vij at his residence in Ambala Cantonment to mark the occasion, where he conveyed his best wishes and appreciation.

Speaking on the occasion, Sh. Vij said that the happiness and success of women strengthen society as a whole. He said that the day highlights women’s rights, their contributions to society, and the need for gender equality. According to him, women are steadily advancing in every sector, and the day is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate those who have made significant contributions in education, sports, science, arts, politics, and other fields.

He further said that the occasion reminds society of the need to ensure equal opportunities, equal pay, and leadership positions for women. It also encourages young girls to pursue their dreams and promotes the message of empowerment. Additionally, the day serves as an opportunity to advocate for new policies and reforms aimed at improving women’s health, education, and safety.

On the occasion, BJP Councillor Dr. Shashi Longia, along with Neelam Sharma, Praveen Jain, Jyoti Rani, Ritu Pandey, Sunita Patil, Danisha Yadav, Aarti Sharma, Himani Jain and several other women from the BJP Shastri Mandal visited Vij’s residence and extended greetings.

*₹20 Lakh Assistance for Dharamshala Construction*

Energy Minister Anil Vij also announced financial assistance of ₹20 lakh from his discretionary fund for the construction of the Shri Mata Maharani Durga Devi Temple Gihara Samaj Dharamshala.

Earlier, members of the Gihara Samaj Society had approached the minister requesting financial support for the construction project. Following the announcement of the grant, Councillor Gaurav Saini, Ramesh Saini, Sudhir Kumar Gihara, Sudhir “Dimpy” Gihara, Rajan Gihara, Ram Ratna and other members expressed their gratitude to the minister for the assistance.

Chandigarh 8 March 2026:

Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora said that the Punjab government has given a boost to the industry in this Budget so that the industrial sector can develop further in the coming time.   Punjab government has fulfilled all its commitments in this unique budget. It was a people-friendly budget in which there was something for every sector. This budget will empower every citizen of Punjab and will bring further economic development of Punjab.

He said that priority has been given to the industrial sector in this budget so that the industrial sector can progress further and Punjab can become the first choice of investors.

He highlighted Punjab has received ₹55,000 crore  investments in 2025 alone. He said that this budget is pro- industrialists. This budget will make Punjab industry more prosperous as we have already adopted new industrial policy which will fulfill all legitimate demands of the industrialists.

Chandigarh, March 8:

In a response to the Punjab budget for FY 2026-27 tabled in the Vidhan Sabha today, Punjab’s Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, lauded the state government’s commitment to the agrarian economy, describing the budget as a significant instrument of transformation for the farming community. This budget ensures that the backbone of the nation’s food security is not left to fend for itself.

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted the state’s crucial role in national food security, stating the government’s Rs 15,377 crore allocation for agriculture and allied sectors in the 2026-27 budget underscores its commitment to sustaining this contribution. It is a targeted intervention to strengthen resilience, drive crop diversification, ensure sustainability and guarantee farmer welfare, he added.

Elaborating the government’s proactive approach to water conservation, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian highlighted the success of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) adoption. “The state disbursed ₹35 crore in FY 2025-26 to incentivise water-saving techniques, with ₹40 crore allocated for next year,” he said, while urging farmers to adopt DSR to address labour shortages and groundwater depletion.

The Agriculture Minister also expressed satisfaction over the pilot project encouraging a shift from paddy to kharif maize in six districts—Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Bathinda, Sangrur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala. With an incentive of ₹17,500 per hectare and a dedicated allocation of ₹15 crore for 2026-27, he noted that the government is building a robust model for alternative cropping patterns.

“By extending a 33 percent subsidy on PAU-recommended hybrid seeds, we have not only supported our farmers financially but have also reversed the declining trend in cotton cultivation,” he asserted .

Addressing the perennial challenge of stubble burning, the Agriculture Minister highlighted the government’s aggressive push for mechanisation. He noted that ₹402 crore was utilised in FY 2025–26 to provide subsidy on stubble management machinery. With an enhanced budgetary provision of ₹600 crore for FY 2026-27, he assured that the state is on track to offer a sustainable solution to this environmental challenge .

S. Khudian highlighted the allocation of ₹7,715 crore towards power subsidy for agriculture, ensuring the continuation of free and subsidised power to sustain irrigation and productivity .

Strengthening Allied Sectors for Rural Prosperity, the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister underscored the bolstering of allied sectors to strengthen rural livelihoods. He welcomed the Rs 100 crore provision aimed at ensuring fair milk procurement prices for dairy farmers, safeguarding them against market fluctuations and supporting small and marginal producers. In the fisheries sector, he applauded the expansion of aquaculture, noting the production of over 1,500 lakh quality fish seed and the addition of nearly 3,000 acres under fish culture. “These measures are strengthening income diversification and employment generation across the state,” he added .

S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian stated, “This budget reflects the vision of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann—where the farmer is not just a food provider but the focus of governance. We are not just allocating funds, we are securing the future of Punjab’s agrarian economy and the dignity of its annadatas.”

Chandigarh 8 March 2026:

Replying on the question regarding current status of Solid Waste Processing Plant at Samgauli near Derabassi, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora said that

50 acres of land was acquired at village Samgauli (Dera Bassi) in year 2017 for setting up of Solid Waste Management Plant for processing of solid waste generated in the area of Municipal Corporation Mohali and nearby other 17 Urban Local Bodies. Out of 50 acre land, possession of 39 acres has already been handed over to the Municipal Corporation, S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) for this purpose in year 2020.

In this regard he further informed the House that MC S.A.S. Nagar (Mohali) has prepared a project proposal for setting up a Waste-to-Energy plant at this site to cater the approximately 500 metric ton of solid waste daily generated in 9 ULBs namely MC Mohali, MC Zirakpur, Kharar, Naya Gaon, Dera Bassi, Kurali, Banur, Lalru and NP Gharuan. The proposal is under consideration and finalization at the level of State Government.

Similarily, responding to another question pertaining to arrangement of main sewerage at Nagar Panchayat Arniwala Sheikh Subhan, Local Government Minister Sanjeev Arora informed that tender has been floated for Main Sewer, Pumping Station, 2 Million Litre per Day Sewage Treatment Plant for Nagar Panchayat Arniwala Sheikh Subhan under Sawachh Bharat Mission 2.0 Scheme against estimated amount of Rs. 21.42 cr. After the completion of the tender process, the work will be allotted and will start functioning at site. This work shall be completed within 21 months.

Speaking on regularization of Water Supply and Sewerage Board/Fire Brigade personnel question, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora said the government has not made recently any proposal/policy to regularize the casual employees in the Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Fire Brigade Department who have been working for the last 12-13 years.

Responding to another question raised in the House, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora informed that presently there is no sewerage facility in the village of Balad Kothi, Bhawanigarh. Due to the absence of sewer lines, water gets accumulated in the streets/ road. To provide sewerage facility in this area and connecting this sewer with the existing sewer on the service road of national highway Rs. 4.90 Cr. are required for which funds are being arranged. After the receipt of these funds work will be completed within 06 months. The restoration work of service road will be done by national highway at their own level.

Likewise, replied in details regarding foreign investments made in the State so far, Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora informed the house that during the official visits undertaken to promote investment, the Hon’ble Chief Minister held structured interactions with industry leaders, business associations and prospective investors to present Punjab’s industrial strengths and policy framework. Such engagements typically involve detailed interactions on prospective investment proposals and long-term expansion strategies of the companies, and have a relatively long gestation period before reaching implementation stage. The conversion of these discussions into grounded investments is therefore a phased process requiring due diligence and regulatory assessments. The Government, through Invest Punjab, undertakes regular follow-up and facilitation to ensure that these investment leads are systematically progressed towards fruition in the State.

Moreover he added that as a result of such initiatives and engagements, the State has received record investment proposals of more than INR 55040 cr (From April 2025 to Feb 2026).