Chandigarh : The Punjab Budget 2026 sparked sharp political exchanges in the state assembly on Wednesday, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann accusing opposition parties of abandoning the debate because they could not justify their opposition to providing financial assistance to women.
Speaking during the concluding discussion on the Punjab Budget 2026, Mann said the opposition chose to walk away rather than face questions about why it opposed a scheme that would provide ₹1,000 to women across the state. He alleged that traditional political parties had kept people poor for decades and were now uncomfortable with the empowerment of ordinary families under the government led by the Aam Aadmi Party.
Budget Aimed at Fulfilling Dreams of Freedom Fighters
Describing the Punjab Budget 2026 as the “Budget of the martyrs’ dreams,” the Chief Minister said it aims to fulfill the aspirations of legendary freedom fighters such as Bhagat Singh and Udham Singh. He added that the state government had fulfilled all its election guarantees within four years and was now preparing its agenda for the 2027 Assembly elections.
According to Mann, the budget reflects the government’s commitment to social welfare, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment of the poor.
Welfare Schemes for Women and Families
The Chief Minister highlighted several key initiatives included in the Punjab Budget 2026, including the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satkar Yojna, which aims to provide financial support to a large majority of women in the state.
He also spoke about the Meri Rasoi scheme, under which nearly 40 lakh families will receive free ration kits containing essential food items such as sugar, pulses, mustard oil, turmeric, and salt.
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Mann said these initiatives are intended to ensure food security and economic support for vulnerable households while improving the quality of life for families across Punjab.
Focus on Education and Healthcare
The Punjab Budget 2026 also places strong emphasis on education and healthcare. The Chief Minister said that the government is establishing seven new medical colleges in the state, including in Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Sangrur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Lehragaga, Malerkotla and Ludhiana.
These institutions are expected to add around 600 MBBS seats, helping students pursue medical education within the state.
Mann also pointed out the success of Aam Aadmi Clinics, which have recorded over five crore OPD visits, reflecting growing public trust in government healthcare services.
Employment Opportunities for Youth
Highlighting employment generation, the Chief Minister said the government has already provided around 64,000 government jobs to young people in Punjab.
He further announced that 10,000 new posts will be created in the Punjab Police, offering more opportunities for the state’s youth.
Additionally, the Sardar Bahadur Amin Chand Armed Forces Preparatory Institute in Hoshiarpur has been completed and will start admissions this year to help students prepare for careers in the armed forces.
Stand on Punjab’s Rights and Resources
During his speech, Mann also addressed interstate issues, noting that neighbouring states often call Punjab their “elder brother” while making demands related to resources.
He mentioned that Himachal Pradesh has sought a share in Chandigarh and royalty on water, while Haryana continues to raise the demand for the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal (SYL).
The Chief Minister said that due to the firm stand taken by the Punjab government, Haryana has not allocated funds for the canal project in its recent budget.
Political Attack on Opposition
Mann also criticized opposition parties such as the Indian National Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of ignoring development and welfare during their time in power.
He alleged that previous governments had no clear agenda for the state’s progress and had instead focused on maintaining political power.
The Chief Minister further claimed that the opposition already knows the AAP government will return to power in 2027, which is why it chose to avoid the debate on the Punjab Budget 2026.
Commitment to Development
Concluding his address, Mann reiterated that the government remains committed to strengthening Punjab’s economy, improving public services, and ensuring prosperity for its citizens.
He said the Punjab Budget 2026 reflects the government’s determination to protect the interests of the people and deliver long-term development across the state.