Budget 2026 Betrays Punjab: FM Cheema Says Centre Blind to Farmers, Borders & Economy
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Slams Union Budget 2026 as ‘Anti-Farmer, Anti-Education, Anti-Health’ – Accuses Centre of Ignoring State for 12th Straight Year
‘Deliberate Attempt to Derail Punjab’s Growth’: Cheema Says Budget Sidelines Farmers, Cuts Subsidies, Ignores Pending ₹8,500 Cr RDF Dues, and Threatens Federalism
Chandigarh, February 2
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led Central Government’s Union Budget 2026–27, calling it discriminatory, neglectful, and a direct threat to Punjab’s interests, democracy, and federal structure.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan today (February 2), Cheema highlighted that Punjab was not mentioned even once in Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech – a first in the past 12 years – despite the state’s critical role in national food security, repeated natural calamities (including devastating 2025 floods), border security burdens, and longstanding demands like the release of ₹8,500 crore in pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues.
“This budget is anti-farmer, anti-education, anti-health, and hostile to Punjab’s poor, traders, and security needs,” Cheema declared. “It represents a deliberate mindset to derail Punjab’s growth – a state that has made unparalleled sacrifices for the nation. The BJP’s approach poses a big threat to India’s democracy and federalism, especially for Punjab.”
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Key Criticisms from Cheema:
- Complete Sidelining of Punjab: For the 12th consecutive year, the Centre has ignored Punjab’s memorandum and legitimate demands. Punjab’s contribution to the central food pool has only increased, yet 117 blocks face dark-zone groundwater depletion due to over-farming for national needs.
- Anti-Farmer Bias: No increase in the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund; no support for mandi infrastructure strengthening. The budget promotes high-value crops like coconut, cashew, sandalwood, and dry fruits but offers nothing for North Indian food-grain farmers in Punjab and Haryana. “This selective approach is discriminatory and exposes the Centre’s hollow pro-farmer claims,” Cheema said.
- Subsidy Cuts & No Relief for Common Man: Urea subsidy reduced from ₹1,26,475 crore to ₹1,16,805 crore. Zero tax relief amid stagnant incomes and inflation; increased Securities Transaction Tax burdens the common man further. No changes to Long-Term Capital Gains tax.
- 16th Finance Commission Concerns: Vertical devolution stuck at 41% despite states’ fiscal stress; no Revenue Deficit Grants (unlike the 15th FC); restrictive conditions on State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) hinder disaster management in vulnerable states like Punjab.
- Education & Health Neglect: Education allocation grows only ~8%; PM-SHRI scheme unchanged at ₹7,500 crore; no extension/enhancement of Special Assistance to States for Capital Creation. Ayushman Bharat unchanged at ₹9,500 crore; Swachh Bharat Mission halved to ₹2,500 crore.
- Other Shortfalls: PM-Vishwakarma Scheme cut from ₹5,100 crore to ₹3,861 crore despite claims of supporting legacy industries and youth. Defence mentions only four times in the speech, with no major boost despite recent border tensions. Border Infrastructure and Management Scheme marginally reduced.
- MGNREGA & Other Areas: Allocation increased to ₹95,692 crore under VB-G-RAM-G, but overall budget fails to address Punjab’s unique challenges.
Cheema emphasized that Punjab has fed the nation while bearing heavy costs, yet faces step-motherly treatment. “This budget ignores Punjab’s contributions, overlooks its challenges, and undermines its future. It neither strengthens national security nor supports farmers, workers, youth, or states. Punjab deserves far better,” he concluded.
The sharp reaction aligns with broader criticism from Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and opposition parties, who echoed that the budget offers no MSP guarantee, youth employment roadmap, or industry relief – reinforcing perceptions of bias against non-BJP-ruled agrarian states. The Union Budget was presented on February 1, 2026, amid ongoing demands for special packages post-2025 floods and border issues.
