Punjab's Demands Fall on Deaf Ears: State's Pre-Budget Proposals Completely Overlooked
Says, Budget Catering to BJP's Political Interests rather than Addressing Needs of Nation
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, February 1-
Punjab FM Harpal Singh Cheema has strongly criticized the Union Budget presented by FM Nirmala Sitharaman for the fiscal year 2025-26, terming it as a "disappointing budget" for the people of Punjab. Finance Minister Cheema said that the budget is focused on Bihar's election, catering to the BJP's political interests rather than addressing the needs of the nation.
Addressing a press conference here at Punjab Bhawan, Cheema expressed his disappointment that none of the demands made by Punjab during the pre-budget meeting held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan on December 20, 2024, were met in the budget. He pointed out that the budget failed to mention the names of states other than belongs to parties in alliance with BJP at centre, highlighting the PM's bias towards specific states.
Detailing the demands put forward by Punjab in the pre-budget meeting, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema emphasized that Punjab, as a border state, has demanded a special industrial package for its five border districts to promote employment and development.