Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], March 26: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema met with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann at his residence on Wednesday ahead of the presentation of the state budget for 2025-26. Earlier, Cheema signed the budget copies in preparation for the key presentation.
This budget marks the third under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government since it came to power in 2022. As reports indicate, this year’s budget will focus heavily on development initiatives. Key areas of emphasis will include education, healthcare, and combating drug addiction in the state.
The AAP is expected to take a tough stance on the ongoing drug crisis. Notably, this year’s budget may introduce the concept of a Drug Census for the first time, as AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal recently mentioned during a rally. In an effort to curb the drug trade, the state may also appoint Home Guards to prevent drugs from entering Punjab through its border areas, with a separate budget allocation planned for drug prevention programs.
Additionally, the budget is expected to include provisions to enhance the state’s emergency services, with a potential increase in the number of Emergency Response Vehicles and special measures to strengthen the Emergency Number 112 service.
Congress MLA from Abohar, Sandeep Jakhar, expressed hope for the budget, particularly concerning the long-pending development works in the Abohar and Balluana areas. He urged that appropriate allocations be made for the region.
Meanwhile, as part of Punjab’s aggressive campaign against drugs, the state government has shifted from broad enforcement tactics to precision strikes aimed at dismantling major drug networks. The ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, launched on March 1, 2025, has already yielded significant results, with 3957 drug smugglers arrested following the registration of 2248 FIRs across the state. Authorities have also seized large quantities of contraband, including 137.7 kg of heroin.
Under the campaign’s directives, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav have instructed Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) to identify and catalog key drug suppliers and peddlers within the next seven days, aiming to systematically dismantle the state’s narcotics networks.