Chandigarh- The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Friday lauded the Punjab government's Budget 2023-24 and termed it a pro-people and development-oriented budget for the inclusive welfare of people of Punjab.
In a statement issued from the party headquarters on Friday, AAP Punjab general secretary and Mandi Board chairman Harchand Singh Barsat said the budget has taken care of every section of the society, be it farmers, labourers, youth, students or government employees. The government has earmarked stupendous funds in the budget for the development of all areas.
He said that this time the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has made several important announcements to boost industrial development and employment in Punjab. This will bolster the morale of Punjab traders and businessmen and also increase the revenue of the government. Apart from this, a large number of unemployed youth of Punjab will get employment.
He said that the Punjab government has increased the agriculture budget by a huge 20 percent this time. This decision proves that Mann government is committed to the welfare of farmers and farming. Punjab can be developed only by the development of agriculture sector and this budget of Mann government will bring a big change in the agriculture sector.
He appreciated the move of Punjab government for providing free power to the tune of Rs.9, 064 crore in FY 2022-23(RE) and Rs.9, 331 crore has been earmarked in 2023-24 financial year to continue its support to the farmers.
Barsat said that Mann government proposes to introduce a“New Agricultural Policy” with the objective to conserve natural resourcesand increase farmers’ income, a Committee ofExperts already constituted in this regard. He said that 1 lac quintals of quality seeds amounting to Rs.38 crore were procured by State nodal agency PUNSEED through track and trace system and around 50, 000 farmers were provided subsidized seeds worth Rs.10 crore.