Leaders from across Punjab’s political spectrum — the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress, and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) — have come together to express dissatisfaction with the Union Budget-2024. The rare consensus highlighted the depth of their grievances against the BJP-led Central Government for what they describe as a blatant neglect of Punjab’s pressing needs.
In a collective outcry against the BJP-led Central Government’s failure to announce any special package for Punjab, they have sharply criticized the budget as a “Sarkaar Bachao Budget”, accusing the Centre of tailoring it to benefit NDA allies in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, while neglecting the vital needs of farmers, the impoverished, and the youth across the nation.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema did not mince words in his critique of the budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as he condemned the budget as a “complete disappointment” for Punjab. He accused the Centre of ignoring the state’s specific demands, such as a package for crop diversification.
Cheema’s scathing remarks underscored a perceived step-motherly treatment towards border states like Punjab, with crucial sectors such as roads, health, and education left wanting. The reduction in fertilizer subsidies by 36 percent was particularly criticized, painting the budget as anti-Punjab and anti-farmer.
Echoing Cheema’s sentiments, Punjab Congress president and Ludhiana MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring accused the BJP of prioritizing political gains over the welfare of the nation, citing the allocation of special infrastructure funds to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh as a glaring example. Warring’s disappointment was palpable as he highlighted the lack of attention to Punjab, a state vital to India's agriculture and military.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also joined the chorus of disapproval, describing the budget as discriminatory towards Punjab. Sukhbir emphasized the omission of any substantial support for Punjab’s farmers, particularly in terms of debt waivers and incentives for crop diversification. The absence of a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) was another significant point of contention. He criticized the budget for failing to provide necessary tax concessions to the state’s industrial sector, further highlighting the economic distress faced by Punjab.
AAP MP from Anandpur Sahib Malvinder Singh Kang and the Leader of Opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha Partap Singh Bajwa amplified the collective grievance. Kang pointed out the pro-corporate focus of the budget and demanded immediate release of funds for Punjab’s Rural Development Fund and National Health Mission. Bajwa, on the other hand, lamented the lack of a special package for Punjab's agriculture sector, criticizing the Centre for overlooking the state's critical role as the food bowl of India.
Bajwa also highlighted the budget's failure to address the demands for MSP on 23 crops, a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that remains unfulfilled. Senior Congress leader argued that the allocations for agriculture were insufficient to pull the sector out of its deepening crisis, further exacerbating the challenges faced by Punjab's farming community.
SAD’s Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal also criticized the Union Budget 2024 as a ‘Sarkar Bachao’ budget, crafted primarily to appease NDA allies in Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, while neglecting the needs of farmers, the poor, and the youth nationwide. She lamented that Punjab has been overlooked for the sixth consecutive budget cycle since Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) left the NDA alliance. She demanded accountability from those who, under the guise of addressing Punjab's issues, have instead perpetuated the state’s ongoing neglect and discrimination by the Centre.
Punjab BJP terms Budget as a beacon of progress and prosperity
The Punjab unit of the BJP has warmly embraced the Union Budget 2024 with state BJP president Sunil Jakhar terming it as a significant step towards the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) with a focus on youth employment, agricultural resilience, and tax relief, signaling a new era of development and prosperity for the nation. Jakhar lauded the budget as a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foresight and Finance Minister Sitharaman's pragmatic approach. He emphasized that the budget's emphasis on job creation, education, and infrastructure aligns perfectly with the aspirations of the youth and the needs of the agricultural sector. The allocation of Rs 1.48 lakh crore for education and employment over the next five years, aimed at benefitting 4.1 crore youth, is a landmark initiative that Jakhar believes will significantly impact the country's future.
Hailing the budget, Punjab’s former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh posted on X, “Kudos to Hon. PM @narendramodi ji & FM @nsitharaman ji for a futuristic & inclusive budget. Your vision for a stronger, more resilient India is truly commendable....The initiatives announced today will surely boost growth, innovation & prosperity for all!” BJP national spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill added his endorsement, calling the budget a transformative document that promises “happy days” for diverse sections of society, including youth, women, farmers, and the MSME sector. Shergill underscored the budget’s ambitious goals, such as the Rs 1.54 lakh crore earmarked for agriculture and the provision for a new skilling scheme aimed at 20 lakh youth over the next five years.
