In a sharp defense of the Union Budget, Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar on Monday linked its progressive ethos to the egalitarian teachings of Guru Ravidas Maharaj. Calling it a cornerstone for ‘Developed India,’ Jakhar positioned the budget as a transformative force for equitable growth.
Addressing the media in Chandigarh, he lambasted AAP and Congress leaders for their economic naivety, which blinded them to the budget’s profound implications. PM Modi, Jakhar recalled, had underscored on Sunday the direct advantages for key Punjab cities—Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Hoshiarpur, Moga, and Firozpur—promising accelerated urban and industrial growth.
Turning to CM Bhagwant Mann, Jakhar demanded proof of any pre-budget meeting with the PM to push Punjab’s agenda. Mann’s assertion that the state was overlooked is baseless, he charged. In fact, during a pre-budget huddle led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Punjab’s finance minister offered zero substantive demands, fixating solely on higher borrowing caps.
This budget, spearheaded by PM Modi, will revolutionize equality and development in Punjab, Jakhar proclaimed. Modi’s Dera Ballan visit featured detailed assurances on Punjab’s gains, but Mann dodged a meeting—allegedly cowed by Kejriwal—breaking long-standing political norms.
Direct dialogue could have unlocked more for Punjab, Jakhar regretted. He detailed how central outlays for fisheries, livestock, and subsidies are ready, with crop diversification funds awaiting state proposals. ‘Khelo India’ will channel sports goods production to Jalandhar, injecting economic vitality.
Punjab’s SMEs, textile sector, and sports industry are set for a windfall from the landmark India-EU pact, ensuring the state’s industries thrive in global markets.