The SAD-BJP government would resort to adoption of vote-on-account motion in the 14th assembly, whose session begins on March 19, while a full-fledged budget would probably be presented in House in July, finance minister Parminder Singh Dhindsa said.
He was interacting with media during his visit to the city on Friday to pay obeisance at Golden Temple.
"The ideology of the party (read alliance) is first and foremost and the promises made must be fulfilled," said Dhindsa.
Denying that the state was in dire fiscal crisis, Dhindsa said, "The scenario is not what is being projected by certain sections."
Asked about the huge debt burden of the state, the FM replied, "The Central government has a larger debt burden than the state. The only difference is that the resource collection pool of the Centre is vast as a major share of the taxes collected, even by the states, go to the Central government. That is why we have been advocating that states like Punjab must get their due share from the tax pool."
Whether he advocated levying fresh taxes for improving the financial health of Punjab, Dhindsa categorically stated that it would be for the CM and the cabinet to decide. "We do not believe in putting unnecessary burden on the common man," he quipped.
{{/usCountry}}Whether he advocated levying fresh taxes for improving the financial health of Punjab, Dhindsa categorically stated that it would be for the CM and the cabinet to decide. "We do not believe in putting unnecessary burden on the common man," he quipped.
{{/usCountry}}On subsidies, he made it clear that subsidies were meant for the poor and needy. "A government has to take care of the poorer sections. The Central government too gives subsidies," he said, while ruling out the withdrawal of the benefits already being provided by the state government.
Dhindsa also sought to deny rumours that he was reluctant to accept the finance portfolio. "The CM asked me once whether I would like to take up this responsibility. I immediately said yes," said Dhindsa.