Budget: Nothing for farmers, say Punjab govt, Haryana Oppn; Saini calls it 'visionary'

Punjab, a non-BJP ruled state, and the Opposition in Haryana on Sunday expressed disappointment over the Union Budget, saying the Centre has once again failed to live up to the farmers expectations, even as CM Nayab Singh Saini called it visionary and people-centric. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the budget neither had any announcement regarding the minimum support price for farmers, nor did it provide any relief for industry and in taxes.

Punjab, a non-BJP ruled state, and the Opposition in Haryana on Sunday expressed disappointment over the Union Budget, saying the Centre has once again failed to live up to the farmers' expectations, even as CM Nayab Singh Saini called it ''visionary'' and ''people-centric.'' Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the budget neither had any announcement regarding the minimum support price for farmers, nor did it provide any relief for industry and in taxes. ''The central government's budget once again fell short of Punjab's expectations. This budget made no concrete announcements on MSP for farmers...youth. ''No concrete steps were taken in this budget to strengthen Punjab's economy. As always, Punjab and Punjabis were treated step-motherly. The people of Punjab are hardworking and enthusiastic. Together, we will ensure Punjab stands firmly on its feet again,'' said Mann in a post on X in Punjabi. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said the budget once again ignored the interests of farmers in Punjab and Haryana and failed to address key concerns of agrarian states. Cheema said there was no increase in the allocation for the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and no concrete steps were taken to strengthen market and mandi infrastructure. Partap Singh Bajwa, who is the leader of the opposition in the Punjab assembly, also said there was no relief for Punjab farmers and nothing was announced for the state's youth in the Budget. ''Budget 2026-27 confirms Punjab has been completely forgotten. No relief for 'Annadata' farmers, no jobs roadmap for our youth, no plan for industry or cities. Big words changed, ground reality unchanged-''reforms'' that never arrive,'' said Bajwa in a post on X. Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Sunday said Punjab received no benefit in the Union Budget 2026-27 due to the ''complete failure'' of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the Aam Aadmi Party government in advocating for the state's rights. He said the state got no special package, no major new projects, and no new schemes for farmers, traders, industries, youth or border areas. Recalling the era of former chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, he said, ''He constructively engaged every prime minister, including Dr Manmohan Singh, presented Punjab's case strongly, and secured major projects and fair shares, including AIIMS, refinery, IIM, IIT, and 4/6-lane national highways.'' On the other hand, BJP Punjab State Working President Ashwani Sharma described the Budget as ''visionary, pro-people and growth-oriented.'' Highlighting agriculture, he said higher allocation for the sector, MSP assurance, rural infrastructure and support for agri-startups would benefit Punjab's farmers. The BJP leader also appreciated the emphasis on employment, skill development, startups, MSMEs and manufacturing, which he said would create new opportunities for youth and small entrepreneurs. In the neighbouring state of Haryana, the ruling BJP government defended the Budget, describing it as a ''visionary'' and ''people-centric'' document. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Budget reflects the spirit of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and Antyodaya, with direct benefits for farmers, youth, women, MSMEs and the middle class. He said the total budget outlay of Rs 53.5 lakh crore and capital expenditure of Rs 12.2 lakh crore would particularly benefit fast-growing states like Haryana. Cabinet minister Anil Vij said special focus has been given to strengthening the pharmaceutical sector and Ayurveda, which will help boost employment and improve healthcare facilities. Vij also hailed the reduction in duties on cancer medicines and treatment equipment and welcomed the announcement of an AIIMS-level institution for Ayurveda. The Opposition in the state, however, slammed the Budget, alleging that the state and its farmers have been ignored. State Congress chief Rao Narendra Singh said it is disconnected from ground realities and does not serve public interest. Rao said the Budget ignores the common man, farmers, and rural India. He added that it provides no concrete relief for inflation, unemployment, farmers' loan waivers, or water and electricity shortages, particularly in Haryana. He also pointed out that cuts and delays in schemes like MGNREGA are weakening rural employment. Congress general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala also attacked the Budget and wrote, ''Haryana is nowhere to be seen in #Budget2026!'' Surjewala said only a token gesture has been made in the budget, as he referred to Rakhigarhi in Haryana's Hisar district, which the Union Finance Minister said in her speech is among the 15 archaeological sites across the country to be developed into vibrant, experiential cultural destinations. Congress' Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda too echoed a similar sentiment. ''Just like the last 12 years, Haryana has once again been left empty-handed in the Union Budget. Why is the BJP central government treating Haryana so unfairly? While Haryana contributes the highest GST collection and toll tax revenue in the country, its share in the budget remains zero!,'' Deepender said in a post on X. Senior Congress leader and Sirsa MP Kumari Selja said that the people of Haryana had hoped that today's Union Budget would bring them some relief and address ''the state's real problems''. ''But, as usual, the BJP government completely ignored Haryana. This budget neither included any concrete provisions for the farmers of Haryana, nor did it present any clear plan for creating employment opportunities for the unemployed youth,'' Selja, a former Union Minister, said in a post on X. The Union Budget 2026-27 was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha on Sunday. Sitharaman, while presenting her ninth consecutive budget, announced that the target for capex will be raised to Rs 12.2 lakh crore for FY27 from Rs 11.2 lakh crore earmarked for the current fiscal year. She also announced a slew of measures to boost infrastructure in the country, including in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. This Budget came in the backdrop of global uncertainties, trade frictions and US tariffs and a slowdown in exports.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)