Digital revolution in Punjab, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema made a big change through digital innovation and financial prudence.

Punjab Digital Revolution: Presenting the annual report of the Finance Department, Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema here today said that the year 2025 has been a year of sound financial management, strong infrastructure investments and revolutionary digital reforms. He stressed that the Finance Department is no longer just a ‘fund distributing’ department, but has become a ‘driver of innovation’.

Government treasury at the service of common people

Highlighting the ‘people-friendly’ approach of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Finance Minister said that our priority is to ensure that the public treasury is always used for the service and welfare of the common people.

Government committed to protecting the interests of Punjabi

He said that whether it is the question of Rs 968 crore given to farmers for loss of crops due to floods or the matter of loan waiver of 4,650 beneficiaries under the loan waiver program of Punjab Scheduled Castes Land Development and Finance Corporation (PSCFC), the Aam Aadmi Party (‘AAP’) government is committed to protecting the interests of every Punjabi.

Benefit of free electricity in Punjab

He said that in the interest of public welfare, the fee for doorstep delivery of government services has also been reduced by the AAP government from Rs 120 to only Rs 50, so that people can take maximum benefit from it. Referring to the 600 units (300 units per month) of free electricity being given to domestic consumers against every two-month bill, Finance Minister Cheema said that under this facility, 90 percent of the domestic consumers are availing the benefit of free electricity and the state government has also cleared all the dues of electricity subsidy till September 2025.

Benefits to 6 lakh employees and pensioners

He said that the Punjab Government is also committed to pay the outstanding dues of Rs 14,191 crore which were not paid by the previous government as per the Sixth Punjab Pay Commission which was implemented from July 1, 2021. He further said that the state government has already started repayment of dues as per the structural liquidation plan in the financial year 2025-26, which will benefit 6 lakh employees and pensioners.

So many crores of rupees released under ‘Rangla Punjab Development Scheme’

Giving details about the initiatives taken to boost development at the grassroots level, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the State Government has released Rs 292 crore under ‘Rangla Punjab Development Scheme’, thereby ensuring that each region gets Rs 2.5 crore to immediately meet its local needs.

Big boost to sports infrastructure

He said that during the year 2025, road and sports infrastructure has also got a big boost, under which a huge project of construction of 2,832 km of plan roads and 7,767 km of link roads is going on at a cost of Rs 5,338 crore.

World class playing fields across the state

Along with this, 12,361 kilometers of new rural link roads are being constructed by the Mandi Board with an investment of Rs 4,275 crore. Apart from this, Rs 500 crore has been earmarked to create world class sports grounds across the state to encourage good health and sports culture.

Government’s emphasis on education and health

Emphasizing on education and health being the priority sectors of the AAP government, the Finance Minister said that as an important step for the education sector, the State Government has launched the World Bank-supported POISE. Negotiations for the Program (Punjab Outcomes-Acceleration in School Education Operation) have been completed.

Revolution in results and education level

With a total expenditure of Rs 2,520 crore (70:30 cost-sharing with the state), this five-year initiative aims to revolutionize learning outcomes and education standards in school education, he said. He said the state will soon provide insurance cover of Rs 10 lakh to about 65 lakh families under the Mukhyamantri Sehat Bima Yojana, with an estimated expenditure of Rs 600 crore this financial year.

Digital transformation from financial management system

Lauding the Finance Department for leading the country in ‘Fintech’, the Finance Minister said that the Department has brought about a digital transformation through an Integrated Financial Management System, introducing several ‘best solutions’ that enhance transparency and efficiency.

He said that Punjab SNA-S. P.A. R. S. H. has become a pioneer in applying the fund flow method. He said the state has achieved incentives worth Rs 450 crore in FY 24-25 and expects to achieve another Rs 350 crore this financial year by optimizing cash liquidity and reducing unutilized funds.

Referring to the recently launched Pension Services Portal, the Finance Minister said that this portal is now allowing pensioners to track their cases, submit life certificates and lodge complaints online, which will provide great convenience to the senior citizens of the state.

Ensure accountability at higher administrative levels

He said that in place of the old slow manual processes, the new Audit Management System (AMS) portal facilitates immediate scrutiny of audit memos and reports to ensure accountability at higher administrative levels. Additionally, by converting all bills into electronic vouchers across Punjab, the government has significantly reduced stationery and logistical costs, streamlining the accounting process with the Accountant General, he said.

success in grassroots development

He said this is also the first time that Punjab Treasury regulations have been completely updated to incorporate modern fintech and IT applications, and new regulations will be published soon. Concluding the annual report of the Finance Department, Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the State has successfully balanced grassroots level development with adoption of ultra-modern financial technology.

Strong balance sheet and a prosperous Punjab

The Finance Minister further said, ‘Through automation of deposit operations in forest and works departments and introduction of a non-treasury accounting system, we have stopped leakages and ensured that every rupee is accounted for. We will enter 2026 with a strong balance sheet and a clear vision for a prosperous Punjab.