Terming the Janta Budget presented by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema as “Visionary and progressive Budget”, Sunam MLA Aman Arora on Monday said that the AAP government is committed for holistic development of all sections in the state.
Blaming the successive governments for emphasis on populism and their inability to increase revenue, Arora said that deceitful politicians in previous governments had pushed the Punjab deeper into debt trap.
He said that it is the first time in the history of Punjab that a paperless budget was released after 20384 people shared suggestions of which 27.3% women participated.He launched a broadside against Congress government and said that current effective outstanding debt of Punjab stands at Rs 2.63 lakh crore, which is 45.88% of the SGDP as previous government did not take any initiative to ameliorate financial situation of the state but its venal leaders remained busy in filling their own coffers.
“Despite the miserable economic situation of the state, the AAP government has given a pro-people budget targeting every section of the society in the right earnest. Our sole aim is inclusive development of Punjab by bringing transformation in sectors of education, health, agriculture and commerce, good governance, opportunities for youth, women empowerment and others,” MLA said addressing a press conference here.
He added that no new tax has been imposed in this budget while existing welfare schemes will continue despite the fragile financial situation of the state government.Promising improvement in the lives of common people of Punjab under AAP governance, Arora said the government has hiked School Education budget by 16%, technical Education budget by 47%, Medical Education budget increased by 57% and many others.
Replying to a media query on providing Rs 1000 to women, Arora said that the AAP government is committed to fulfill all the pre-poll grantees made by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal and CM Bhagwant Mann.He said that a major promise of providing free electricity will be fulfilled from 1st July. The government will soon fulfill all the guarantees promised with the people.