Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party’s working President Ashwani Sharma expressed disappointment with the state Budget, labeling it a betrayal to women, farmers, employees, and the public. The Budget for 2026-27 proposes a total outlay of Rs 260,437 crore, projecting the state’s GSDP at Rs 980,635 crore with an estimated growth rate of 10 percent. Sharma highlighted that the Aam Aadmi Party government, in power since March 16, 2022, will soon complete four years.
Sharma criticized the government for not adequately addressing women’s issues in the Budget. He suggested that if the government truly cared for women, it should have allocated a lump sum of Rs 48,000 for the past four years, calculated at Rs 1,000 per month. He noted that the allocated budget falls short of the required Rs 15,000 crore for this scheme, raising concerns about the registration process hindering women from receiving benefits.
The BJP leader also pointed out the disappointment among farmers due to unmet promises in the Budget. Despite assurances, the minimum support price (MSP) for all 24 crops lacks legal backing. Sharma further criticized the state government for presenting Central government scheme funds as its own, including road projects worth around Rs 15,000 crore and housing initiatives for the poor. He highlighted a lack of focus on health services and employee welfare in the Budget, causing further discontent among the populace.
