Hoshiarpur- The Punjab government has described its new budget as a big step towards making 'Rangla Punjab'. But when 31% of financial needs are being met through loans, the state's debt has crossed Rs 3,17,000 crore and the interest alone is Rs 25,000 crore, can this budget really be called progressive? Renowned social worker and journalist Sanjeev Kumar has expressed concern over the growing financial crisis of Punjab.
He asks whether this budget is helping Punjab or is it pushing it further towards making it 'Kangla Punjab'? He says that no matter which government is in power, everyone has contributed to worsening the financial condition of Punjab. Can any political party claim that it has no role in taking Punjab to the 'bottom'?
He says that Punjab's economic condition is getting worse at the hands of every government due to unaccounted expenditure, empty promises and ineffective financial plans. He also said that when a large part of the budget is spent on repaying the debt, how can the welfare of the people, education, health and infrastructure be developed? If this situation continues, Punjab's economic condition will worsen even more. Sanjeev Kumar says, "Isn't this debt havoc turning Punjab red with its own blood?" He says that instead of making big statements in the budget, the government should take proper steps to reduce dependence on debt and bring about real economic reforms, otherwise the situation will get out of hand.