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Punjab Budget 2022: List of key announcements by FM Harpal Singh Cheema
Punjab Budget 2022: This was the first budget of the state's ruling AAP, and came a little more than three months after the party was elected to power here.
Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday tabled the first budget of the state's Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, a little more than three months after the AAP stormed to power by winning the assembly elections, held here on February 20.
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Here are some key announcements made by Cheema in his first budget speech:
(1.) Over the next five years, the Bhagwant Mann-led government will set up as many as 16 medical colleges covering every corner of the state. With this, the total number of medical colleges here will rise to 25.
(2.) By 2024, two super specialty hospitals, one each in Patiala and Faridkot, will be established. Three more shall be opened by 2027.
(3.) A total of ₹11,560 crore to be set aside for the agriculture sector. To provide free power to agricultural tubewells, ₹6,947 crore will be spent.
(4.) Roof top solar system to be installed in government schools at a cost of ₹100 crore. A trust, called the ‘Punjab Sikhya te Sehat Fund’, will help in capital asset creation in health and education sector during the course of the year.
(5.) To find solutions to stubble burning, a major issue that plagues Punjab, Haryana and Delhi in October-November, ₹200 crore allocated.
(6.) To form policies as desired by the business community, the government will constitute a special commission comprising only of traders and businessmen. The body will collaborate with the government in decision-making and policy formulation.
(7.) To maintain law and order, ₹30 crore allocated to set up cyber control rooms in all districts. CCTV cameras will be installed in Police Mahila Mittar Kendras during the financial year 2022-23.
(8.) With an aim to bring bring new opportunities to the sub-mountainous Kandi area, a highway from Chandigarh to Pathankot along the Shivaliks is proposed to be developed.
(9.) ‘As many as 117 ’Mohalla Clinics' will be established this year, of which 75 will be operationalised by August 15. An initial outlay of ₹77 crore proposed for this.
The concept is inspired from the ‘Mohalla Clinics’ set up by the AAP government in the neighbouring Union territory of Delhi.
(10.) Taking another leaf out of the Delhi government's book, the ‘Farishtey’ scheme will be rolled out in the border province as well. Under this, a person can get a victim of a road accident to any hospital in the state. The injured will get free treatment, the entire cost for which will be borne by the Mann-led dispensation.
