Punjab's Outcry Against 'Step-Motherly' Union Budget

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema criticized the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accusing the BJP-led central government of ignoring Punjab's needs. Cheema highlighted the state's exclusion from financial packages for crop diversification, roads, health, and education, terming the budget 'anti-Punjab.'

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday criticized the Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, saying it had completely disappointed the state. He accused the BJP-led Centre of not considering any of Punjab's demands, including a package for crop diversification.

Cheema further alleged that the Union government has meted out step-motherly treatment to the border state. Sitharaman presented the Budget for 2024-25, her seventh straight presentation, setting a new record.

Reacting to the Union Budget, Cheema stated, "The Centre meted out step-motherly treatment to the people of Punjab and farmers. The BJP-led government deceived the people of Punjab." He claimed the Centre reduced the subsidy on fertilisers by 36 per cent and did not provide adequate support for roads, health, and education sectors in Punjab.

Cheema also noted that he had requested an economic package for crop diversification in pre-Budget meetings, which the Centre ignored. He argued that Punjab needed a package for boosting industrialisation, akin to Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Furthermore, Cheema condemned the lack of incentives for MSMEs and financial packages, warning that this disparity could worsen regional imbalances. He said this Budget favoured the eastern region at the expense of northwestern states like Punjab.

Punjab cabinet minister Aman Arora echoed these sentiments, saying the Budget exposed the 'vindictive face' of the BJP-led government for failing to win seats in the state.