Unveiling a comprehensive and ambitious budget for the fiscal year 2024-25, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday packed it with a plethora of innovative and thoughtful initiatives focusing on education, agriculture, sports, and infrastructure development.

From the ambitious ‘Malwa Canal Project’, aiming to alleviate groundwater dependency and harness Punjab's untapped river resources, to the establishment of 1000 sports nurseries fostering athletic talent, and the creation of innovative educational institutions like the ‘Schools of Brilliance’, ‘Schools of Happiness’, and ‘School of Applied Learning’ — each initiative echoes a commitment to empower communities and shape a brighter future for Punjab.

With ‘Mission Phulakri’ and ‘Mission Unnat Kisan’ furthering agricultural sustainability, Cheema's proposals resonated as catalysts for progress, embodying a holistic approach towards realizing Punjab's full potential.

Apart from giving a diversification push is the budget, the government's commitment to agricultural reform and sustainability is evident through initiatives like the ‘Malwa Canal Project’. This ambitious project aimed to reduce groundwater dependency and optimize the utilization of Punjab's share of the Beas-Satluj river water during the Rabi period.

Furthermore, several missions such as Mission Unnat Kisan — to provide timely technical information to the farmers for proper cultivation of cotton; and Punjab Horticulture Advancement and Sustainable Entrepreneurship (PHASE) initiative — to improve product quality and develop horticulture crop clusters in major production zones, underscored the government's dedication to enhancing agricultural productivity and empowering farmers.

Another innovative decision, ‘Mission Phulkari’ has also been proposed under which the village-level artisans will be trained with the latest craftsmanship techniques by the National Institute of

Fashion Technology, Delhi. That was not all! They will also be able to sell their products through various e-Commerce platforms.

In the education sector, Cheema announced a series of transformative measures. A total of 100 government senior secondary schools will undergo a metamorphosis, becoming ‘Schools of Brilliance’. Additionally, 100 primary government schools are slated to be transformed into ‘Schools of Happiness’, fostering a nurturing learning environment for young students.

The government has allocated Rs 100 crore for the establishment of 'Schools of Eminence', with 14 such schools already operational and 118 schools undergoing transformation. Moreover, Rs 10 crore has been earmarked for the establishment of the ‘School of Applied Learning’, aimed at equipping students with technical skills essential for livelihood.

Continuing its efforts to promote sports and nurture talent, the government will establish 1,000 sports nurseries across Punjab, benefiting approximately 60,000 young sportspersons aged six to 17. These sports nurseries will provide the necessary infrastructure and coaching to groom budding athletes, said Cheema, adding that Rs 50 crore has been allocated for the establishment of 250 sports nurseries in the first phase of implementation.

In the healthcare sector, the government has allocated Rs 150 crore for the Punjab Urban Health Infrastructure, aimed at upgrading infrastructure in 20 district hospitals.

Infrastructure development also received a significant boost with the allocation of funds for various projects, including the Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF) and the introduction of e-buses in major cities like Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala. Moreover, initiatives like the 'E-Sanad' portal to enable NRIs to digitally sign and verify documents required by foreign embassies; and the promotion of ecotourism activities reflect the government's efforts to leverage technology and environmental conservation for sustainable development.

Addressing concerns raised by crusher unions, the government has notified 'The Punjab Crusher Policy' and announced plans to launch 'Public Crusher Units' as part of ongoing efforts to reform the crusher industry.

The new initiatives demonstrate a high level of intelligence and strategic thinking on the part of the AAP government focusing on priority areas making an effort to address critical needs that have a direct impact on the well-being and prosperity of the people.

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New Initiatives

·         Malwa Canal Project

·         Mission Unnat Kisan

·         Punjab Horticulture Advancement and Sustainable Entrepreneurship (PHASE) initiative

·         Mission Phulkari

·         Establishment of Human Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Scheme

·         Transforming 100 Govt Senior Secondary Schools in Schools of Brilliance

·         Construct Hi-tech vocational labs in 40 School of Applied Learning

·         Setting up School of Happiness targeting students aged three to 11

·         1,000 sports nurseries, 250 in first phase

·         Punjab Urban Health Infrastructure

·         ‘E-Sanad’ portal

·         Ecotourism activities in various wildlife areas / Birs of Punjab

·         Urban Infrastructure Development Fund (UIDF)

·         E-buses in Jalandhar, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala

·         Public Crusher Units