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.

Chandigarh, March 26:

Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh on Wednesday described the Punjab Budget-2025 a visionary document, which would further bolster the state’s overall development, growth and welfare of people as Rs. 5983 crore has been set aside for complete facelift of cities.

Terming the budget pro-people, Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh pointed out that during the ensuing financial year the urban area would get massive infrastructure improvement in terms of roads, footpaths, electricity system, traffic and street lights, water supply and bus stands to ensure seamless and environment friendly movement. With the visionary approach of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is witnessing unprecedented transformation to facilitate people with the requisite facilities, said Dr. Ravjot Singh adding that the budget presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema would bring record development in the state.

Dr. Ravjot Singh mentioned that in first phase, four big cities namely Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar and SAS Nagar (Mohali) would also get immense and holistic development. The Cabinet Minister also mentioned that the road infrastructure in the said cities would be made of world class as provisions of Rs. 140 crore had been made in the budget. The services of country’s renowned architects will be hired to make the plan of these roads as per the international standards, which are to be constructed and maintained by the contractors for the next 10 years. He said as per the plan footpaths would be constructed beautifully without any hinder in all cities. 

The Local Government Minister said a blueprint would be made for roads in the cities in complete uniformity, similar width in all cities besides doing away traffic hurdles. It will also be ensured that the lane marking of roads should be as per stipulated standards and lanes will be repainted after every three months, he added.

Dr. Ravjot Singh also informed that the Budget had also provisions of Rs. 225 crore Punjab Municipal Development Fund and Rs. 300 crore funds under PMSIP, which would further improve the facilities in 166 towns across the state having 40 percent urban population with sanitisation arrangements, water supply & sewerage system, roads and street lights. He said that Punjab Government would also procure 347 e-buses to provide facility of efficient, environment friendly public transport system to the people as well as curtaining the dependency on individual vehicles.

Chandigarh, March 26

Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Hardip Singh Mundian stated on Wednesday that the budget presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will transform the cities of the state and ensure world-class facilities to urban residents, with an allocation of ₹5,983 crores for 2025-26. 

Mundian noted that 40 percent of Punjab’s population lives in urban areas, which is why these regions received significant boosts in the budget. He expressed gratitude to the government for key announcements made for the major cities of Punjab, especially Ludhiana.  He stated that approximately 50 kilometres of world-class roads will be developed in four cities including Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and SAS Nagar over the next year. ₹225 crores has been allocated under the Punjab Municipal Development Fund for the upgrade of road infrastructure and to ensure the uniform provision of five essential municipal services across all 166 towns and cities in Punjab: cleanliness, water supply, sewage, roads, and street lights. 

Furthermore, an allocation of ₹300 crores for the Punjab Municipal Services Improvement Project (PMSIP) will enhance urban governance, financial management, and the delivery of sustainable water services to the citizens of Ludhiana. A total of 367 E-buses will be procured for Ludhiana, ensuring sustainable and accessible urban mobility across cities in Punjab, along with the development of Civil Bus Depot infrastructure in Ludhiana.

Under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance Scheme, the state is implementing projects worth ₹120 crores to improve market access, financial assistance, and technology adoption for small enterprises. This also includes the establishment of a Technology Extension Centre in key industrial hubs and ₹10 crores for the upgrade of the R&S Centre and the Institute of Auto Parts and Hand Tools Technology (IAHT) in Ludhiana.

Chandigarh, 26 March:

Punjab PWD Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO on Wednesday informed the House that the proposal to install cat’s eye reflectors on roads is under consideration of the department so as to prevent road mishaps especially during the foggy weather in winter.

Referring to concern raised by the Patiala MLA Ajitpal Singh Kohli, the PWD Minister stated that the department was already contemplating to put such reflectors on roads for the public safety. He said that upgradation of 390 KM of national highwyas and 1287 km of state roads (State Highway MDR ODR) had been upgraded along with the white strip work by the contractors, which would be maintained for the three years by the concerned contractors. Responding to a supplementary question by the MLA, the Minister informed that the Punjab government is considering the installation of cat’s eye on roads, which will prove helpful in preventing accidents.

CHANDIGARH, March 26:

          In a pathbreaking move to ensure universal access to quality healthcare services, Punjab Health and Medical Education and Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Tuesday, hailed the enhanced budget allocation in the Health and Medical Education sectors as “transformational” for the crucial sector. He particularly lauded the decision of the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government to cover every citizen of the state under Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna and double the insurance cover from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per family annually.

          Pertinently, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema presented the historic ‘Badalda Punjab’ Budget for financial year 2025-26 at Vidhan Sabha here on Tuesday.

          The health sector budget has been enhanced by 10 percent, reaching ₹5,598 crores— to strengthen infrastructure, expand Aam Aadmi Clinics, and improve emergency care under the FARISHTEY Scheme, while, the Medical Education and Research has received 27 percent budget increase to ₹1,336 crore.

          Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh, while terming the budget as historic and progressive, said that the move to bring all the 65 lakh families of the state under the Mukh Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana is a game-changer, which will ensure that no citizen of the Punjab state will ever have to worry about medical expenses again.

          As per the information, currently only 45 lakh families are covered under health insurance scheme—16 lakh under the Central government’s Ayushman Bharat and 29 lakh under Punjab’s SSBY.

          The Health Minister said that the new budget has removed all eligibility restrictions, extending coverage to every household in the state, regardless of income or location. This is for the first time in Punjab’s history that every single family—urban or rural, rich or poor—will have health security, he added.

          He clarified that families enrolled in Central Government’s Ayushman Bharat will too receive an additional ₹5 lakh top-up from the state, bringing their total insurance cover to ₹10 lakh. Additionally, all beneficiaries will receive Sehat Cards, enabling cashless treatment at both government and private empaneled hospitals, he added.

          Dr Balbir Singh said that in financial year 2025-26, Punjab Government will also be establishing a new Medical College with 50 MBBS seats at village Barnala Kalan in SBS Nagar.

          He said that following the success of “CM Di Yogshala” program, which currently benefitting 1.5 lakh residents through 3200 daily yoga sessions, will now expand to reach two lakh participants.