Raghbir Singh Brar
Faridkot
Punjab Youth Congress Secretary Angad Dutta has strongly criticized the Punjab Budget presented by the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that the budget is more focused on political announcements rather than addressing the real economic challenges of the state.
Angad Dutta said that the government has presented a budget with a total outlay of ₹2,60,437 crore for the financial year 2026-27, but it fails to provide a concrete roadmap for strengthening Punjab’s economy, attracting large-scale industry, and generating employment for the youth. 8
Raising serious concerns over the financial condition of the state, he pointed out that Punjab’s total debt has already crossed ₹4 lakh crore and is projected to reach around ₹4.17 lakh crore, which is creating a massive burden on the state’s future economy.
He also questioned the government’s newly announced welfare schemes, particularly the promise of providing ₹1,000 per month to every eligible woman in Punjab. While supporting women’s empowerment, he said that such schemes require strong financial backing and transparency about funding sources, especially when the state is already facing a serious debt crisis.
He further stated that despite the government’s repeated claims of development, Punjab continues to face major challenges such as unemployment, migration of youth abroad, slow industrial growth, and increasing financial liabilities. The budget does not clearly explain how the government plans to tackle these structural problems.
He said that Punjab’s youth are leaving the state in record numbers because of limited job opportunities, yet the budget does not present any major industrial investment plan or employment generation strategy that could reverse this trend.
He also emphasized that the people of Punjab expected a visionary budget that would revive industry, support farmers, strengthen public infrastructure, and improve governance. However, the budget presented by the Aam Aadmi Party government appears to be more focused on populist announcements rather than long-term economic planning.
Angad Dutta concluded by saying that Punjab deserves responsible financial management and transparent governance that prioritizes economic growth, employment opportunities, and sustainable development for future generations.
“Punjab needs a budget that strengthens its economy and creates opportunities for the youth, not a budget that increases debt and relies on political announcements,” he said.