Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on 10th March 2023 presented the financial budget of state for the FY 2023-2024. This is the second budget that was presented by Aam Aadmi Party in the Vidhan Sabha. Earlier, interim budget was presented by them, this year the party announced its full-fledged budget. The main focus of every person residing in Punjab was on new subsidy schemes for locals, amount of debt on state and allocation of funds for same, amount given to education and healthcare sector. Punjab Government presented Budget for Rs. 1, 96,462 crores which is 26% more than last year. This year Punjab Government has focused their budget mainly on education, health, employment and agriculture.
Talking about Punjab’s youth, government has announced certain projects for the development of education sector resulting in progress of youths. Punjab Government has announced opening of 11 new colleges and announced the provision of Rs. ₹17,072 crores for the education sector which is 12% higher than the previous year. Taking a look inside the school education, government has formed a policy y for the upkeep of schools and for creation of the post of ‘Estate Managers’ for all the Government Senior Secondary schools. Amount of Rs. 99 crores have been issued basic cleanliness and upkeep of schools while teachers shall concentrate only on academics. Apart from this, government has also announced certain programs for the skill-upgradation of teachers and school heads. AAP Government will keep on sending teachers to Singapore to be equipped with latest skills and technological know-how.
In the latest Budget session, Punjab Government announced allocation of ₹18 crore for OBC students and ₹60 crore for SC students in FY 2023-24. In budget session, Harpal Singh Cheema proposed 2 new schemes i.e. Professional Coaching for Employment and Soft Skill & Communication Training, suitable allocation will be provided during FY 2023-24. Under these schemes, coaching on professional lines would be provided to students by establishing dedicated employability coaching centers in Government Colleges. For the construction of 11 new colleges in the State, ₹36 crores have already been released in FY 2022-23.
Talking about sports, Punjab Government told that Multipurpose Sports Arenas at district level and sub-divisional level are being set-up and out of 32 projects amounting to ₹46 crore, 22 projects amounting to ₹33 crore have been completed and the remaining are expected to be completed soon.