CHANDIGARH: Punjab BJP chief Ashwani Sharma unleashed a blistering attack on the 2026-27 state budget, calling it an ‘outrageous betrayal of mothers and sisters’ that also cheats farmers, employees, and everyday citizens.
In his media address, Sharma laid bare the AAP regime’s shortcomings as it hits the four-year mark from its March 16, 2022 inception. Key figures: Rs 2,60,437 crore outlay, Rs 9,80,635 crore GSDP projection, 10% growth anticipated.
Women bear the brunt. Sharma demanded retrospective Rs 48,000 payouts – Rs 1,000 per month for 48 months – as proof of empathy. Instead, the Rs 1,000-1,500 aid program is underfunded at Rs 9,300 crore against a Rs 15,000 crore necessity.
Bureaucratic registration, proven ineffective in the health insurance fiasco, guarantees women won’t see benefits soon.
Farmers’ dreams dashed: No legal MSP for all 24 crops, breaching manifesto commitments. The budget brazenly appropriates Union funds – Rs 15,000 crore roads, poor housing, Rs 3,504 crore Amrit 2.0, school computers – as state achievements.
Neglect extends to health and employee interests, breeding widespread dismay. This budget exemplifies AAP’s governance gap between grand vows and grim reality, shaking public faith in Punjab.