Punjab Budget 2026 LIVE UPDATES: Govt launches Meri Rasoi scheme, 40 lakh families to get free ration kits every quarter
In this Budget, the government is expected to finally fulfil its long-pending promise of giving ₹1,000 per month to all women
Mar 8, 2026 01:56 PM
Session adjourned till 9 March, 10 am
Mar 8, 2026 01:45 PM
Mar 8, 2026 01:29 PM
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal slams Punjab govt over Budget
Mar 8, 2026 12:02 PM
Revenue and Capital Generation
For FY 2026–27, total revenue receipts of Punjab are estimated at ₹1,26,190 crore.
Out of this:
Own tax revenue: ₹70,851 crore
Non-tax revenue: ₹15,687 crore
The 16th Finance Commission increased Punjab’s share in the horizontal devolution from 1.807% to 1.996%.
Due to this increase, Punjab’s share in central taxes is expected to reach ₹30,464 crore in 2026–27, compared to ₹25,171 crore in 2025–26 (an increase of ₹5,293 crore).
Grants-in-aid from the Centre are estimated at ₹9,188 crore for FY 2026–27.
Excise Revenue
Improved policy and strict implementation increased excise revenue significantly.
During the AAP government’s five-year period, excise revenue is estimated at ₹53,122 crore, compared with:
₹27,934 crore during the previous Congress government
₹20,545 crore during the Akali-BJP government.
Stamp and Registration Revenue
Revenue from stamp duty and registration also improved.
During the AAP government’s five-year tenure, revenue is expected to be ₹30,367 crore, compared with:
₹12,469 crore during the Congress government
₹12,387 crore during the Akali-BJP government.
For FY 2026–27, the government has set a target of ₹9,000 crore from stamp and registration.
Tax Dispute Settlement
In 2024, the government launched a One-Time Settlement Scheme to resolve old tax disputes.
Under this scheme:
70,311 dealers benefited
₹866 crore relief was provided
₹164 crore was recovered for the state.
A new One-Time Settlement Scheme 2025 started from 1 October 2025, offering relief in interest and penalties.
So far:
7,400 applications received
More than ₹100 crore recovered.
GST Administration
The government strengthened GST administration using technology and data analytics.
Automated tools are used to detect tax evasion and defaulting taxpayers.
A dedicated Anti-Evasion Wing is being proposed to strengthen enforcement.
In the last 46 months, GST revenue collected is ₹83,739 crore, compared to ₹61,286 crore in the previous government’s 5 years.
For FY 2026–27, the GST revenue target is ₹32,000 crore.
Fiscal Stability Funds
The state contributed ₹1,000 crore to the Consolidated Sinking Fund (CSF).
It also contributed ₹1,000 crore to the Guarantee Redemption Fund (GRF) for the first time.
Due to these contributions, the combined funds increased from ₹3,027 crore (March 2022) to ₹11,720 crore (December 2025) — a 287% increase.
Capital Expenditure
The government focused on increasing capital investment for long-term development.
In the last four years, total capital expenditure was ₹32,353 crore, more than double the previous government.
For FY 2026–27, capital expenditure is proposed at ₹18,381 crore.
Employee and Pension Payments
The government honored its commitment to pay ₹14,191 crore arrears arising from the 6th Pay Commission.
Payments to employees and pensioners will continue according to the schedule in 2026–27.
Debt Position
The Debt-to-GSDP ratio inherited in March 2022 was 48.25%.
By January 2026, it has reduced to 44.47%, indicating improvement in the state’s financial position.
{{time}}
{{{title}}}
{{{content}}}PTC News Desk: The state’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is preparing to attract two important groups of voters — women and Dalits — as it presents its last Budget on Sunday.
In this Budget, the government is expected to finally fulfil its long-pending promise of giving ₹1,000 per month to all women. To further gain support from Dalits, the government is also considering giving extra financial assistance to Dalit women.
The scheme may be funded using ₹4,500 crore saved from the power subsidy after the recent cut in electricity tariffs. In addition, around ₹3,000 crore earned from the sale of properties by urban development authorities, especially in Mohali, may also be used for this purpose.
AAP’s political planners believe that these steps will help the party secure support from a large number of voters. Dalits make up nearly 33% of the electorate, so offering additional benefits to Dalit women before the next Assembly elections could help the ruling party gain more Dalit votes.
In the 2022 elections, AAP had already received a large share of Dalit votes after many Dalit voters moved away from their traditional support for the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal.
Follow for LIVE UPDATES