As it completed five months in power, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on August 16 asserted that it was putting in “honest efforts” to improve the fiscal health of the State, while the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) accused it of twisting figures “to fool the people”.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the government is earmarking a lion’s share, that is, 35.06% of the total budget, for nine key departments — Health and Family Welfare; Medical Education and Research; Education (School and Higher); Technical Education; Home Affairs; Cooperation; Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; Social Security; and Women and Child Development, for this financial year.
Addressing a joint press conference in Chandigarh, Mr. Cheema said the government is working to improve the fiscal health of the State. He said the government had so far has returned loans amounting to ₹12,339 crore, including the principal amount of ₹6,349 crore and interest on a loan of ₹5,989 crore, while the loan of ₹10,729 crore was availed during this period. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, Health Minister Chetan Singh Jodemajra, Agriculture Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh also participated in the conference.
