Face2News/Tarn Taran
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Vice President, Khadoor Sahib constituency In-charge, and former MLA Ravinder Singh Brahmpura on Sunday launched a scathing legal and economic critique of the Punjab Government's 2026-27 budget, terming it an "illegal manifesto to buy votes." Brahmpura stated that the document is not a financial blueprint for the state's development, but rather an "economic and constitutional fraud" committed against Punjabis to save a sinking political ship.
Presenting a direct legal argument against the government's announcement of providing Rs 1,000 per month to women and Rs 1,500 to women from the Scheduled Caste community, Brahmpura said this was a 'contract' made with the public in 2022. "The government has violated this contract for four full years. Legally and morally, the government now owes arrears of Rs 48,000 to every woman in Punjab. Implementing this in the final year of its tenure is akin to giving 'alms' to the daughters and sisters of Punjab, whereas, in reality, the government has usurped their rightful dues," he added.
Criticizing the budget allocation of Rs 9,300 crore for the 'Mukhyamantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana' and Rs 900 crore for free ration under the 'Meri Rasoi' scheme, the SAD leader questioned the government's sources of revenue. He clarified that without increasing income, burdening Punjab with an additional debt of Rs 10,000 crore merely to garner votes is an "economic crime" against future generations. Punjab is already reeling under lakhs of crores of debt, and these new political announcements will push the state towards complete bankruptcy, he cautioned.
Brahmpura stated that such large-scale anarchy and manipulation of statistics in administrative functioning have never been seen before. The Shiromani Akali Dal has always been an advocate of public welfare but will not tolerate this fraud being committed in the name of 'guarantees', he asserted.
He concluded by saying that the prudent voters of Punjab understand this stunt of political bribery and will show the door to the "promise-breaking" Aam Aadmi Party government in the upcoming 2027 elections.