Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s seventh Union Budget speech failed to mention Punjab specifically, leaving leaders from the northern state disappointed. However, several other regions received direct acknowledgment and financial support promises.
Bihar topped the list of mentioned states with over half a dozen direct references scattered throughout the 105-minute presentation. Sitharaman outlined new schemes and infrastructure projects catering to development in Bihar. This included a ‘Purvodaya’ scheme facilitating growth across Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and West Bengal. Road and power projects worth billions of rupees also received approval.
Other BJP-ruled or allied states like Andhra Pradesh and disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand found mentions as well. Andhra was granted Rs.15,000 crore for building its new capital, while the hilly states obtained assistance to rebuild post-flood damages.
In stark contrast, Punjab drew a complete blank barring a subtle inclusion in the Amritsar-Kolkata industrial corridor. Leaders from the state voiced anguish over the snub. Congress’ Raja Warring tweeted the budget went missing on Punjab. Akali Dal’s Harsimrat Kaur Badal slammed it as a “Sarkar Bachao” effort to placate select allies ignoring citizens.
With no direct announcement catering to Punjab’s needs, opposition figures critiqued the prioritization of certain regions for political motives. The absence of any tangible recognition left the border state out in the cold this budget season. As elections loom in multiple provinces, the skewed focus sparked criticism from neglected counterparts.
