Budget 2026 Fails Punjab Once Again: Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have launched a sharp offensive against the Central Government, labeling the Union Budget 2026–27 a “betrayal” of Punjab.

The CM accused the Centre of persistent “step-motherly treatment,” pointing out that the state was not mentioned even once during Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s 85-minute speech.

The Punjab government had earlier sought a special fiscal package of over ₹12,000 crore to recover from the 2025 floods and recent border tensions (referred to by state leaders as Operation Sindoor).

---

Key Grievances from the Punjab Government

The CM and his cabinet highlighted several areas where they believe the Budget failed the state:

• No MSP Guarantee: CM Mann and Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian criticized the lack of a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP), stating that the “Annadatas” (farmers) have been left empty-handed despite feeding the nation.
• Neglect of North Indian Crops: Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema noted that while the Budget promoted high-value crops like sandalwood, cashew, and coconut, it offered nothing for the staples of North Indian agriculture like wheat and paddy.
• Agriculture Cuts: Leaders flagged a ₹10,000 crore reduction in the urea subsidy and a lack of increase in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund.
• Security & Border Infrastructure: The state’s demand for ₹1,000 crore for police modernization and anti-drone technology to secure the international border was reportedly ignored.
• Youth & Industry: The CM stated there was “no roadmap for employment” and no relief for the state’s MSME hubs, like Ludhiana, which are struggling with high logistics costs.

---

Political Fallout in the State

The Budget has united Punjab’s often-divided political spectrum in criticism:

Leader / Party	Reaction
Bhagwant Mann (AAP)	Termed it “anti-Punjab”; vowed that the state would rebuild on its own resilience.
Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress)	Stated Punjab has been “completely forgotten” after 12 years of BJP rule.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal (SAD)	Expressed disappointment over the lack of compensation for depleting water resources.
Sunil Jakhar (BJP)	Defended the Budget as a “milestone,” citing MSME and sports industry benefits