Chandigarh, March 8
Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa today strongly reacted to the Punjab Budget 2026–27 presented by the state government. He termed the ₹2.61 lakh crore budget completely directionless, anti-people and merely a play of numbers. He said that while the figures may have increased in the budget, the reality on the ground has shrunk. According to him, the budget presented in an election year contains only big claims, but no clear policy that can be implemented at the grassroots level. He added that on the occasion of International Women’s Day, the government has deceived women; they should have been given the entire five-year amount at the rate of ₹1000 or ₹1500 per month.
Randhawa alleged that the government has not provided any concrete solution to farmers’ problems in this budget, nor has it presented any solid plan for youth, employees or traders. The people of Punjab had high expectations from this budget, but once again the government has disappointed them. He questioned the government and asked what real benefit the common people would get from this budget.
Randhawa said that Punjab is already under a heavy debt burden, but the government has presented no concrete roadmap to reduce debt or improve the state’s financial condition. On the contrary, the government is continuously taking new loans, which will further weaken the state’s economic situation. He said the government should have presented a strong policy for financial management and expenditure control, but nothing of that sort is visible in the budget.
Randhawa said that farmers are the backbone of Punjab’s economy, yet the budget offers no significant relief for them. There should have been major announcements regarding farm loan waivers, crop diversification and strengthening irrigation facilities. However, the government has limited itself to announcements and promises and has ignored these critical issues of farmers.
Randhawa further stated that lakhs of youth from Punjab are migrating abroad in search of employment, but the government has failed to create effective plans to provide jobs within the state. Despite the government’s claims, unemployment continues to rise. Instead of providing real employment opportunities, the government is merely promoting schemes on paper.
Randhawa also said that trade and industry in Punjab are already facing multiple challenges. The state needs a strong policy to attract investment and encourage industries, but the budget fails to take any concrete step in this direction. He added that even in important sectors such as education and health, the budget does not show any major change or improvement. Government schools and hospitals require significant investment to improve their condition, but the government seems more focused on publicity. If the government truly wants reforms in education and healthcare, it should have allocated much larger funds to these sectors.
Randhawa alleged that the budget has been prepared not in the interest of the public but for political publicity. He said the government has completely failed to fulfill its promises and claims. According to him, people have now realized that the government makes announcements but fails to bring real change on the ground.
In conclusion, Randhawa said that the government must seriously understand the problems of the people and frame effective policies accordingly. The people of Punjab need a strong and visionary economic policy, but the current budget fails to meet that expectation. He said the Congress Party has always raised its voice for the people and will continue to do so in the future. If the government continues to ignore public issues, the Congress Party will protest from the streets to the Assembly.
