Chandigarh, Feb 1: Political leaders across Punjab and Haryana expressed significant disappointment following the presentation of the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, noting a lack of specific provisions for the farming community. The fiscal roadmap presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha drew criticism for its perceived silence on a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) and dedicated industrial relief for the region.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann observed that the financial document did not align with the state’s requirements. He pointed out that the announcements failed to address the immediate concerns of the youth and the agricultural sector, which remains the backbone of the state’s economy.
“The Central government’s budget once again fell short of Punjab’s expectations. This budget made no concrete announcements on MSP for farmers or youth,” the Chief Minister stated. He further noted that the state continues to pursue its path of self-reliance despite the absence of new federal economic stabilizers. “Together, we will ensure Punjab stands firmly on its feet again,” he added.
The sentiment was echoed by Partap Singh Bajwa, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, who suggested the state had been overlooked in the national planning process. He characterized the budget as a collection of ambitious terminology that lacked a practical roadmap for job creation or urban development.
“Budget 2026-27 confirms Punjab has been completely forgotten. No relief for ‘Annadata’ farmers, no jobs roadmap for our youth, no plan for industry or cities,” Bajwa noted.
In neighboring Haryana, the Opposition benches mirrored these concerns. Leaders highlighted that despite the state’s significant contributions to the national exchequer through GST and other revenues, the local benefits remained minimal. Congress MP Deepender Hooda remarked on the disparity between Haryana’s fiscal contribution and its budgetary allocation.
“While Haryana contributes the highest GST collection and toll tax revenue in the country, its share in the budget remains zero,” Hooda said.
While the Finance Minister announced an increase in capital expenditure to Rs 12.2 lakh crore and plans to develop archaeological sites like Rakhigarhi, critics argued these gestures did not address the core issues of unemployment and agricultural distress. Sirsa MP Kumari Selja noted that the public had hoped for concrete solutions to the state’s “real problems” which she felt were left unaddressed.
