Punjab finance minister seeks special economic package from Centre
GST
Dated:- 10-1-2026
PTI
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday urged the Centre to extend immediate fiscal assistance and announce a special economic package for Punjab, pointing out that the state endured a difficult 2025 marked by border tensions and the worst floods in decades.
During a pre-Budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman here, Cheema submitted a detailed memorandum laying out Punjab's key financial requirements and policy demands for the 2026-27 Union Budget.
He said the state, being the country's first line of defence, suffered severe economic disruption due to prolonged security tens
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ment Act applicable during natural disasters and national security emergencies.
Raising concerns related to national security, the Punjab finance minister sought special central assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for the modernisation of the police force, strengthening emergency response systems, and deploying advanced anti-drone technology to effectively counter cross-border threats and narcotics trafficking.
“As a border state bearing a disproportionate security burden, this support should be seen as cooperative federalism in action, not as a concession,” he was quoted as saying in a state government statement.
Turning to agriculture and rural infrastructure, Cheema flagged the issue of withheld Rural Development Fund, urging the Centre to i
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