Chandigarh, March 26 ; The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. They presented their 4th Budget today. It is named ‘Badalda Punjab  Punjab Budget 2025-26’. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema described it as a visionary blueprint. It is aimed at transforming Punjab into a vibrant state. The goal is to create a prosperous and equitable society.

AAP GOVERNMENT HAS TRANSFROMED PUNJAB FROM

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema addressed the media after his Budget speech. He launched a scathing attack on the previous governments for their failures and mismanagement. These actions plunged Punjab into financial and social turmoil. “The Akali Dal and Congress regimes systematically destroyed Punjab’s economy and society. They did this with corruption, drugs, poor policies, and a lack of vision. They left us a state riddled with drugs, unemployment, and crumbling infrastructure. In just three years, we have reversed this decline and set Punjab on a path of progress,” said Cheema.

Badalda Punjab : officials will deploy 5,000 Home Guards with the BSF

Cheema said that the previous Congress and BJP-Akali governments pushed Punjab into the grip of drugs. They allowed this menace to flourish. This approach devastated the youth of the state. In stark contrast, the AAP government has launched the ‘Yudh Nashe De Virudh’ campaign to eliminate drug abuse. Since March 1, authorities have registered 2,136 FIRs and arrested 3,816 drug smugglers. To tackle cross-border smuggling, the government has allocated ₹110 crore for advanced anti-drone systems. Additionally, officials will deploy 5,000 Home Guards with the BSF and dedicate ₹150 crore to Punjab’s first “Drug Census.” Another ₹125 crore will strengthen emergency response with faster Dial 112 services.

Badalda Punjab : govt has allocated a historic ₹979 crore budget for sports

Cheema cornered previous Congress and BJP-Akali governments for neglecting sports in Punjab, promoting drugs and gangsterism instead of nurturing talent. CM Bhagwant Mann’s AAP government is actively working to restore Punjab’s sporting glory. For 2025-26, the government has allocated a historic ₹979 crore budget for sports, the highest ever. Officials are strengthening local infrastructure by developing playgrounds in every village and establishing 3,000 indoor gyms. Additionally, they are modernizing 13 Centers of Excellence to enhance national and international training.. Additionally, ₹100 crore in rewards and government jobs have been provided to athletes in three years.

10 Lakh Insurance, 881 Clinics, ₹778 Cr Budget

Cheema added, under the Congress and BJP-Akali governments, Punjab’s healthcare infrastructure faced numerous challenges. The hospitals were poorly maintained. There was a severe shortage of doctors. These issues created a “Bimar Punjab.” In stark contrast, the AAP government under CM Bhagwant Mann is building a “Sehatmand Punjab.”The government has decided to bring 65 lakh families under health insurance, marking a historic move. The coverage is increasing from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh per family through the ‘Mukhya Mantri Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana.’ The government has allocated ₹778 crore for this initiative. Additionally, officials have established 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics in three years.They are serving 70,000+ patients daily and benefiting over 3 crore people. The government has allocated ₹268 crore to support this initiative.

‘Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme,’ with ₹585 crore allocated

Under the AAP government’s ‘Rangla Punjab’ vision, the historic 2022 mandate is translating into action. The ‘Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme,’ with ₹585 crore allocated (₹5 crore per constituency), will address local development needs. Funds will enhance infrastructure like roads, schools, hospitals, and sanitation, ensuring direct benefits for citizens. Punjabis still remember the long power cuts. Farmers faced sleepless nights under Congress, BJP, and Akali regimes. These governments neglected power infrastructure and left Punjab in darkness. In just three years, the Mann government transformed “Batti Gul Punjab” into “Batti Full Punjab”. With 90% of families benefiting from 300 units of free electricity, ₹7,614 crore allocated for FY 2025-26.

Badalda Punjab : AAP government provided 50,000+ jobs without any bribes

Cheema said, previously, Punjab was ruled by “Pariwarwad”. One family demanded cuts in every business, from large industries to small dhabas. This drove away major investors. And in the Congress Government, Jobs were given to family members and relatives of Congress leaders only. But, the AAP government is building “Sarbat Da Bhala” Punjab, attracting ₹96,836 crore in investments in three years. He said that the AAP government provided 50,000+ jobs without any bribes or favouritism.

The government is upgrading 425 primary schools into “Schools of Happiness.

The Congress and Akali Dal governments neglected Punjab’s public education system, turning government schools into ruins. The AAP government is transforming Punjab from “Khasta School Wala Punjab” to “Smart School Wala Punjab” by prioritizing education. With ₹17,975 crore allocated to the sector—12% of the total budget—major reforms are underway.The government is upgrading 425 primary schools into “Schools of Happiness.” Programs like the “Punjab Young Entrepreneur Program” foster leadership and entrepreneurship among students. Over 4,000 schools have installed solar panels, reducing energy costs. Additionally, initiatives like “Schools of Eminence” and international teacher training ensure high-quality education for Punjab’s future.

AAP Govt Fulfilling Promises, Transforming Punjab’s Future

The Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal governments deprived Punjab’s youth of opportunities, making government jobs a distant dream through nepotism. The systematic neglect of previous governments turned Punjab into “Berozgar Punjab,” forcing its youth to leave the state. Today, the AAP government has revol Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema declared, “This budget is not just about numbers; it represents a vision to transform Punjab. We are building a future where every Punjabi can dream big and achieve their aspirations. This is the ‘Badlda Punjab’—the Punjab, people voted for.” The AAP got into Punjab’s political foray in just 2017. In the 2022 Assembly elections, the people of Punjab showed massive trust in the AAP. They gave us a thumping majority. He added that the Mann government is living up to the expectation and trust of the people.