Punjab Unveils Groundbreaking Budget for FY 2025-26: Rs 2.36 Lakh Crore for Social Reform, Infrastructure, and Public Welfare
Punjab Government Announces Historic Budget for FY 2025-26: A Vision for Progressive Growth
Chandigarh, March 26, 2025 — The Punjab Government has presented an ambitious and transformative budget for the financial year 2025-26, with a total allocation of Rs 2,36,080 crore. Led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the budget focuses on key sectors including social reform, infrastructure development, public welfare, and combating drug abuse. The budget’s introduction by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in the Punjab Assembly marks a defining moment in Punjab’s economic and social trajectory, signaling a shift towards a more prosperous and inclusive future.
This groundbreaking budget outlines a wide array of initiatives, aiming to address pressing issues while investing in long-term development strategies to make Punjab a beacon of growth and innovation.
Key Focus Areas of Punjab’s FY 2025-26 Budget
The Punjab Government’s 2025 budget is designed to create a holistic and sustainable ecosystem for its citizens. The budget’s main priorities include initiatives to tackle drug abuse, upgrade public infrastructure, enhance sports culture, and provide better healthcare.
- Combatting Drug Abuse: The Yudh Nashian Virudh Campaign
A cornerstone of this year’s budget is the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign, a pioneering initiative to curb drug abuse and smuggling in Punjab, a state that has long struggled with the devastating effects of drug addiction. As part of the fight against drug trafficking, the government has committed to deploying 5,000 home guards alongside the Border Security Force (BSF) to strengthen border security and prevent illegal narcotics from entering Punjab.
The budget allocates a robust Rs 110 crore for these initiatives, including the installation of advanced anti-drone technology to tackle drug and arms trafficking. In a groundbreaking move, Punjab will also launch the nation’s first-ever drug census, with Rs 150 crore allocated for data collection across households to address addiction on a deeper, more targeted level. This will enable the state to create tailored rehabilitation strategies aimed at societal transformation.
- Revolutionizing Sports: Khed-Da Punjab, Badalda Punjab
In a bold step to nurture sports culture, the Punjab government has earmarked Rs 979 crore under the “Khed-Da Punjab, Badalda Punjab” initiative. This 355% increase from the previous year’s allocation will fund the construction of 3,000 world-class indoor gyms across the state, the upgrade of 13 Centers of Excellence, and the creation of international-level sports facilities.
This historic investment will revolutionize the sports ecosystem in Punjab, channeling the energy of the youth towards physical fitness and away from harmful activities like drug abuse. The initiative aims to develop top-tier athletes, with a vision to place Punjab at the forefront of sports excellence.
- Enhanced Public Safety and Emergency Response
The safety of Punjab’s citizens is another crucial priority. With an allocation of Rs 11,560 crore for Home Affairs, Jails, Law, and Justice, the budget sets aside funds to equip Punjab’s 112 emergency response service with cutting-edge technology and vehicles. This service will now boast the fastest response time in India, reducing response times from 30 minutes to 8 minutes.
An additional Rs 125 crore has been allocated for new Emergency Response Vehicles, and Rs 53 crore for building the ‘Dial 112’ headquarters to improve coordination during emergencies. These measures aim to boost public confidence in the state’s ability to ensure safety and rapid intervention in times of need.
- Healthcare Revolution: Universal Health Coverage
Another major breakthrough in the Punjab budget is the expansion of the state health insurance scheme, which will now cover all 65 lakh families in the state. The Rs 778 crore allocated for this initiative will increase the annual coverage per family from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh.
The government also proposes a Rs 268 crore investment for 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics, offering free consultations, medicines, and tests to ensure equitable access to healthcare. This universal health coverage strategy is designed to reduce healthcare costs for residents, particularly those in rural areas, while improving overall public health.
- Rural and Urban Development: Badalde Pind, Badalda Punjab
The Punjab Government is determined to elevate both rural and urban development. The “Badalde Pind, Badalda Punjab” plan will rejuvenate villages, with Rs 3,500 crore allocated for the large-scale revival of ponds, construction of village playgrounds, and the improvement of village infrastructure such as sewage systems and street lighting.
Urban areas won’t be left behind either. Rs 225 crore is designated to enhance water supply, sewerage, street lighting, and sanitation systems in 166 cities, with a special focus on the construction of European-standard roads in key cities such as Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Mohali. This will transform Punjab’s cities into modern, smart cities, equipped with efficient waste management and environmentally sustainable infrastructure.
- Infrastructure Overhaul: Roads and Transportation
A key component of the budget is the state’s commitment to infrastructure development. The budget allocates Rs 2,873 crore for the construction and upgrading of rural roads—a significant part of the government’s plan to enhance connectivity and accessibility across Punjab’s countryside. Additionally, 18,944 kilometers of rural link roads will be reconstructed as part of this initiative, marking one of the most comprehensive road development projects in Punjab’s history.
Conclusion: A Vision for a Progressive Punjab
The Punjab Budget 2025-26 sets a new benchmark in governance and fiscal policy. With its focus on combatting drug abuse, enhancing public safety, advancing sports culture, and ensuring universal healthcare, this budget is a bold step toward inclusive growth. By prioritizing the development of both urban and rural areas, it aims to transform Punjab into a model state of progressive growth and social well-being.
The “Badlda Punjab” budget reflects the visionary leadership of the Bhagwant Singh Mann government, promising to turn Punjab into a state where every citizen can thrive, with access to better healthcare, education, and infrastructure.