In its interim budget, Punjab govt focuses on education, agriculture, social security, health

Ruchika M Khanna

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Chandigarh, March 22

The first government of Aam Aadmi Party presented its Vote on Account budget of Rs 37,120. 23 crore on Tuesday.

This is the money required by the government as routine expenditure for the first three months of 2022-23.

The expenditure to be incurred on payment of interest – Rs 4,788.2 crore – is among the largest chunk of finances to be taken away from the state’s limited income. The internal debt of the state is pegged at Rs 5,442.64 crore.

The maximum allocation has been made in the education sector (Rs 4,643.74 crore), agriculture (Rs 2,367.23 crore), administration of justice and policing (Rs 2,726.95 crore), social security, women and child development (Rs 1,484.64 crore) and health and family welfare (Rs 1,345.61 crore).

The Vote on Account was presented by the newly inducted Finance Minister Harpal Cheema.

Talking to The Tribune, Cheema said that their government had a definite plan on revving up the state’s depleting revenue, by checking tax evasion, reducing expenditure and exploring other means of increasing revenue.

“I have just assumed charge as Finance Minister. But by the time we present our budget in the next three months, we will be ready to incorporate all the guarantees and promises made by the party in the budget,” he said.