San Jose / Chandigarh-In a strong critique of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s financial management, Congress MLA Pargat Singh has highlighted the alarming rise in Punjab’s public debt. He accused the ruling party of failing to deliver on its pre-poll guarantees of reducing debt and presenting a positive budget.
Taking to social media, the former Indian hockey captain and Jalandhar Cantt MLA stated: “AAP had guaranteed that it would reduce debt and bring a positive budget. Instead, #Punjab is heading towards a #debt burden of nearly ₹5 lakh crore. The rising debt and the sustainability of free schemes are serious concerns. All political parties and leaders must build a common consensus to protect Punjab’s financial future and prevent the debt burden from increasing further.
Pargat Singh’s remarks come as independent assessments and opposition voices point to Punjab’s debt crossing ₹4.5 lakh crore, with projections suggesting further escalation in the coming years. Critics argue that aggressive borrowing to fund welfare schemes has strained the state’s finances, raising questions about long-term sustainability.
The Congress leader emphasized that unchecked debt growth threatens Punjab’s economic stability. He called upon all political stakeholders across party lines to rise above partisan politics and work collectively towards fiscal responsibility. This appeal for consensus reflects growing anxiety among economists and political observers about the state’s debt-to-GSDP ratio and the burden on future generations.
The statement adds to the ongoing political debate in Punjab, where opposition parties have repeatedly targeted the AAP government over governance, fiscal prudence, and the implementation of its flagship “guarantee” schemes.This story is developing. Further updates on Punjab’s fiscal health and reactions from the government are expected in the coming days.
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