Punjab Budget 2025 Takes Aim at Drugs and Health with Rs 2.36 Lakh Crore Plan

Health Care

19 hours agoPWG Publications

Punjab Budget 2025 Breakdown

Punjab Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, recently unveiled the state's ambitious budget for the financial year 2025-26, totaling a substantial ₹2,36,080 crore. This budget marks a significant milestone in the state's journey toward economic revival and social reform under the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. Highlighted by key initiatives such as a comprehensive drug census, expansion of health insurance via the 'Sehat Card', and a commitment to maintain fiscal discipline without introducing new taxes, the budget aims to transform Punjab into a progressive and inclusive state.

Key Takeaways from the Budget

The Punjab Budget 2025 focuses on several critical sectors, including drug control, healthcare, education, agriculture, and border security, with a plethora of initiatives designed to uplift the state's economy and social welfare.

Drug Census: A Step Toward Combating Substance Abuse

The state will conduct its first-ever drug census, allocating ₹150 crore for this initiative. This census aims to map drug prevalence across Punjab, understand de-addiction center usage, and collect socio-economic data on affected families. The findings will help develop targeted strategies to combat the drug menace effectively[2][3].

Expansion of Health Insurance

The health sector received a significant boost with an allocation of ₹5,598 crore, marking a 10% increase over the previous year. The state aims to extend its health insurance scheme universally, covering all 65 lakh families with up to ₹10 lakh annual coverage. Beneficiaries will receive a 'Sehat Card' for cashless treatment in both government and private hospitals[1][3].

No New Taxes

In a move to ease the burden on citizens, the government has chosen not to impose any new taxes. This decision reflects the state's commitment to maintaining a favorable economic environment for its residents during these challenging times[2][3].

Focus on Youth and Sports

Under the initiative 'Khed da Punjab Badalda Punjab', the government allocated a record ₹979 crore for sports development. This initiative will focus on promoting sports at the grassroots level, setting up playgrounds and indoor gyms in every village across Punjab[2][3].

Education Sector Enhancements

The education sector has been allocated ₹17,975 crore, with specific provisions for programs like Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan and PM Poshan Scheme. This investment aims to improve educational infrastructure and standards across the state[3].

Agricultural Reforms

To promote more sustainable agricultural practices and address environmental concerns, the government has introduced several initiatives:
Crop Diversification: Incentivizing farmers to switch from paddy to Kharif maize by providing subsidies. This move aligns with the national goal of achieving 20% ethanol blending by 2025[2].
Stubble Management: Allocating ₹60 crore in capital subsidies to industries transitioning to paddy stubble-based boilers, and an additional ₹500 crore to support sustainable crop residue management practices[1][2].
Power Subsidies: A substantial ₹9,992 crore has been set aside to provide power subsidies to the agricultural sector[1][3].

Border Security Enhancements

The state has announced plans to strengthen its borders by deploying 5,000 home guards alongside the Border Security Force (BSF) and implementing advanced anti-drone systems with an allocation of ₹110 crore[1][2].

Economic Growth and Fiscal Discipline

Punjab's economy has shown a positive growth trajectory, registering a 9% increase in the current fiscal year. The government expects this momentum to continue, projecting a 10% growth in the state's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) for FY 2025-26[4][5].
The budget outlines a fiscal deficit of 3.84% and a revenue deficit of 2.51%, indicating efforts toward fiscal consolidation and prudent financial management[1][2].

Other Initiatives

Rural Development: ₹3,500 crore has been allocated under the "Badalde Pind, Badalda Punjab" initiative to improve rural infrastructure.
Free Travel for Women: The government has allocated ₹450 crore for free travel for women on public transport[2].
Loan Waivers: Plans are underway to waive loans taken from the Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCFC) up to March 31, 2020, benefiting around 4,650 individuals[2].

Conclusion

The Punjab Budget 2025 is a comprehensive plan aimed at transforming Punjab into a progressive state by tackling critical issues like drug abuse and healthcare accessibility while ensuring sustainable economic growth. By focusing on these areas and maintaining fiscal discipline, the government aims to set a new path for the state's development and prosperity in the coming fiscal year.

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