In a strongly worded statement, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has expressed deep concern over what it describes as the “sorry state of affairs” in Punjab , a region that once stood as the richest and most progressive state in India. The organisation lamented that the steady decline of Punjab’s economic, social, and institutional strength is not the result of a single administration but the cumulative failure of successive governments across political lines.
NAPA emphasised that the current crisis gripping Punjab is rooted in decades of short-sighted governance, political opportunism, and a lack of long-term vision. “Not one, but all political parties are responsible for this mess,” the statement noted, pointing out that leadership across different eras prioritised electoral gains over sustainable development. The association highlighted how systemic issues such as rising debt, unemployment, agrarian distress, and declining industrial growth have been ignored or superficially addressed.
Particularly troubling, according to NAPA, is the entrenched culture of “freebies and sops” that has dominated Punjab’s political landscape. While such measures may offer temporary relief or electoral advantage, they have significantly burdened the state’s finances and hindered meaningful economic reform. The organisation described it as a “travesty” that even the present government, despite acknowledging that such practices are unsustainable, has failed to decisively move away from them.
NAPA further stressed that the normalisation of populist policies has weakened governance standards and discouraged productive investment. Instead of channelling resources into infrastructure, education, healthcare, and job creation, successive governments have relied on short-term giveaways that provide no lasting economic benefit. This, the association argued, has led to a dangerous cycle of dependency and fiscal instability.
Calling for urgent corrective measures, NAPA urged policymakers to adopt a bold and transparent roadmap focused on economic revival, institutional accountability, and youth empowerment. The association underscored the need for structural reforms in agriculture, industrial policy, and governance practices, warning that failure to act decisively could push Punjab further into crisis.
Concluding its statement, NAPA appealed to both political leaders and the public to recognize the gravity of the situation. “Punjab’s legacy as a prosperous and resilient state must not be allowed to fade due to political expediency and policy failures,” it said, urging a collective commitment to rebuilding the state’s economic and social foundations.
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