Punjab Budget: State to Conduct First Comprehensive Drug Census
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Synopsis
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema announced a pioneering drug census to address addiction issues. This initiative aims to survey every household for drug prevalence and de-addiction center usage, while also focusing on education, healthcare, and farmers' welfare in the latest state budget of Rs 2.36 lakh crore.
Key Takeaways
- Introduction of the first-ever drug census in Punjab.
- Focus on socio-economic data collection related to drug use.
- Budget of Rs 2.36 lakh crore proposed for various initiatives.
- Additional incentives for the industrial sector.
- Strengthening of youth sports facilities to combat drug addiction.
Chandigarh, March 26 (NationPress) In a significant step towards combating drug addiction, Punjab's Finance Minister Harpal Cheema announced in the Assembly that the state will initiate its first-ever drug census aimed at covering every household. This initiative seeks to gauge the extent of drug use and the utilization of de-addiction centers, among other factors.
Data will also be gathered regarding the socio-economic conditions of the populace.
Cheema remarked, "This initiative will facilitate the development of a robust and scientific plan to tackle the drug crisis," as he emphasized the government’s commitment to its ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign during his Budget address.
In addition to addressing drug issues, the AAP government stresses the importance of education, healthcare, fiscal responsibility, and farmer welfare in its Budget.
Presenting a budget of Rs 2.36 lakh crore, Cheema characterized it as a visionary budget, referring to it as the Badalda Punjab Roadmap for 2025-26.
He mentioned, "We are progressing towards fiscal consolidation, with revenue and fiscal deficits projected at 2.51 percent and 3.84 percent respectively by the end of 2025-26.”
In a groundbreaking move, the government plans to create a second line of defense along the India-Pakistan border by deploying 5,000 home guards in conjunction with the Border Security Force (BSF).
Recognizing the industrial sector, which constitutes 27 percent of the state’s economy, Finance Minister Cheema stated, "The industry will receive an additional incentive of Rs 250 crore."
He proposed the establishment of playgrounds and indoor gyms in every village to encourage youth to stay away from drugs, highlighting that facilities for popular local sports will be developed. As a pilot initiative, 87 playgrounds have already been constructed in Tarn Taran district, with plans for 3,000 indoor gyms.
In response to the Budget, state Education Minister Harjot Bains declared that it "provides a historic boost by allocating Rs 979 crore to sports, marking the highest allocation in Punjab’s history."
Bains noted that this allocation surpasses the combined spending of the Akali-BJP and Congress over the past decade.
