Punjab : Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticized the Union Budget 2026, stating that it once again failed to meet the expectations of the state. According to Bhagwant Mann , the budget offers no MSP guarantee for farmers, no employment assurance for youth, and no relief for industry or taxation. He added that the Centre had taken no meaningful steps to strengthen Punjab’s economy and continued to treat the state and its people unfairly.
Bhagwant Mann further expressed confidence in the resilience of Punjabis, saying that despite repeated neglect from the Centre, the AAP government and the people of Punjab will work together to rebuild the state and make it economically strong.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema echoed the CM’s concerns, noting that the budget ignored the legitimate demands of farmers in Punjab and Haryana, undermining claims of being farmer-friendly. He highlighted the lack of investment in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the absence of support for improving mandi infrastructure, leaving agrarian states to fend for themselves.
Mann Government flagged Centre’s neglect of Punjab in Union Budget
CM @BhagwantMann said Punjab found no mention in the Union Budget and flagged continued “step-motherly treatment” towards Punjab. No targeted allocations announced for Punjab’s key sectors and needs at a time… pic.twitter.com/3aUHoGT9Yv
— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) February 2, 2026
Cheema also criticized the selective promotion of high-value crops, pointing out that while the budget mentioned crops like coconut, cashew, sandalwood, and nuts, it offered no support for crops grown in North India that suit local agro-climatic conditions. He asserted that the budget clearly showed the Centre’s bias, reflecting indifference toward the farmers of food-grain producing states who deserve proper investment and support rather than empty slogans.
Also read : Union Budget once again betrayal for Punjab and Haryana farmers: Harpal Cheema
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian also expressed strong disapproval of the Union Budget, stating that despite Punjab filling the national granary, its farmers were again left without adequate support. He noted that the budget lacked a clear roadmap for MSP beyond wheat and rice, and there was no concrete plan for crop diversification or financial assistance for farmers affected by recurring floods. Khuddian concluded that the Centre had once again ignored the struggles of India’s farmers while making hollow promises.