Punjab Budget Session 2026 Begins Amid Congress Protests

March 6, 2026

Chandigarh: The budget session of the Punjab Assembly begins today (March 6). Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is delivering his address on the first day.  As soon as he began, the Congress party began protesting. The Governor tried to stop him, but the Congressmen did not stop.

The Governor said that Punjab has become the first state to offer cancer treatment under the Chief Minister’s Cancer Relief Scheme, which provides financial assistance for treatment in both government and private hospitals.

Key highlights of Governor Kataria’s Speech

Health Initiatives

Expansion of Aam Aadmi Clinics providing free medicines and diagnostic tests, with over 4.9 crore OPD visits already.

Significant reduction in maternal mortality ratio through improved maternal care.

Strengthening of district and sub-divisional hospitals with advanced diagnostic facilities (MRI, CT scans).

Launch of cashless cancer treatment scheme under the Punjab Cancer Relief Fund, benefiting over 74,000 patients.

Universal Health Coverage introduced, offering cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh per family annually.

Plans for advanced tertiary care including kidney transplants and cochlear implant surgeries.

Education Reforms

Recruitment of over 13,000 teachers since 2022 under the Punjab Education Revolution.

Upgrading schools with modern infrastructure: Wi-Fi, labs, classrooms, sanitation facilities.

Free uniforms and timely distribution of textbooks to students.

Programs like Mission Samriddhi and SEEP to strengthen basic skills and improve exam performance.

Notable rise in student success in competitive exams (JEE, NEET).

Agriculture & Rural Development

Investments in canal lining and lift schemes to expand irrigation coverage.

Financial support for farmers adopting sustainable practices (DSR, cotton hybrids, paddy diversification).

Increase in sugarcane support price to ₹416 per quintal, the highest in India.

Subsidized crop residue management machines to tackle stubble burning.

Free electricity for farmers, with nearly ₹10,000 crore allocated.

Animal Husbandry & Dairy

Expansion of veterinary services, vaccination drives for livestock, and genetic improvement programs.

Growth in dairy sector through Milkfed Punjab, increasing milk procurement and diversifying products

Infrastructure & Cooperative Sector

Large-scale road modernization projects across rural Punjab.

Strengthening cooperative banks with advanced digital solutions.

Reforms in cooperative societies to ensure transparency in property transactions.

Social & Cultural Initiatives

Promotion of traditional sports like bull races at cultural fairs, with safeguards against animal cruelty.

Anti-drug campaign with extensive rehabilitation and treatment centers, including services in prisons.

Expansion of hepatitis care centers and free treatment programs.

Yoga and wellness programs under CM di Yogshala to promote preventive healthcare.

Earlier, after a meeting at the Secretariat, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the budget has been passed and will be presented on March 8th.

In a short while, Congress will hold a protest against the AAP government. This will be led by state president Amarinder Raja Warring and Congress Legislature Party leader Pratap Bajwa. Congress members have begun gathering for this event. A large number of Chandigarh police have also been deployed to prevent Congress members from reaching the Assembly.

This is the last budget of the government.

This is the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s last budget. According to the schedule released by the Assembly, the session will begin at 11:00 am with the Governor’s address. At 2:00 pm, the House will pay tribute to deceased former members. Tributes will be paid to former minister Raghbir Singh, former MLA Gurdeep Singh Bhaini, freedom fighter Dalip Singh, and former PUNCSEED chairman Ashok Dhir. The session will then be adjourned until March 8.

Cabinet meeting called at 9:30 am

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has returned to Chandigarh from Bengaluru, marking his return to active politics. The government has called a cabinet meeting for 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning. The meeting will take place on the ground floor of the committee room of the Assembly Secretariat. The agenda for the meeting has not been released, but will be released later.

Meanwhile, Congress is protesting against the AAP government. Chandigarh police are deployed in large numbers to prevent Congress workers from reaching the Assembly.