Chandigarh, March 26 — Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday projected the state’s gross state domestic product (GSDP) to expand by 10% in FY 2025-26, reaching ₹8,91,301 crore. He said the current year’s GSDP at current prices stands at ₹8,09,538 crore, reflecting a 9% growth.
Citing advanced estimates from the Directorate of Statistics, Cheema said the effective revenue deficit and fiscal deficit are expected to be 2.51% and 3.84%, respectively. He pegged the total revenue receipts for FY 2025-26 at ₹1,11,740 crore, with own tax revenue projected at ₹63,250 crore. The state’s share of central taxes is estimated at ₹25,703 crore, while grant-in-aid from GOI is expected to be ₹10,576 crore.
Cheema also announced an ambitious GST collection target of ₹27,650 crore for the upcoming financial year.
To tackle drug abuse, he said Punjab will conduct its first-ever drug census next year, covering every household to gather data on drug prevalence, de-addiction centre usage, and socio-economic conditions. “We will use this data to craft an effective and scientific strategy to eradicate the problem of drugs within the next one to two years. ₹150 crore has been earmarked for this census,” he said.
Additionally, 5,000 home guards will be deployed alongside the Border Security Force (BSF) to curb drug smuggling along the border.
