Mixed Reactions in Mohali to Punjab Budget; Women’s Aid Welcomed, Critics Call It ‘Delayed Promise’
DPB , Mohali;
The annual Punjab Budget has evoked mixed reactions in Mohali, with some residents welcoming the announcements related to women’s welfare while others criticised the move, calling it a delayed promise made close to elections.
Reacting to the budget, Navreet Malik, a homemaker and wife of Ward No. 30 Councillor Vineet Malik, described the financial assistance scheme for women as misleading. She said the promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to women was originally made in 2022 but is now being implemented nearly four years later. “If calculated for the last four years, every woman should have received around Rs 48,000 by now. Instead, many women have been left out of the scheme, which has created confusion and disappointment,” she said.
Sharing similar concerns, Deputy Mayor of the Mohali Municipal Corporation Kuljit Singh Bedi said the budget falls short of people’s expectations and does not present a clear plan for addressing key urban challenges. According to him, rapidly expanding cities like Mohali require focused planning. “There is no clear roadmap to deal with issues such as urban development, traffic congestion, parking facilities and waste management, which are becoming serious concerns with the city’s growing population,” he said.
However, Councillor Ramanpreet Kaur Kumbhra welcomed the budget and termed the financial assistance scheme a positive step toward women’s empowerment. She said the provision of Rs 1,000 per month for women and Rs 1,500 per month for Dalit women would provide financial support to many families. “This is a significant initiative in favour of women, and for the first time such a large step has been taken for their welfare in Punjab,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mohali-based industrialist and former first president of the Mohali Municipal Council, Harinder Pal Singh Billa, emphasised the need for measures to strengthen the industrial sector in the city. He suggested that industries should be granted relief such as exemption from property tax and access to interest-free loans, similar to earlier policies. “Special funds and schemes are needed to revive and strengthen Mohali’s industrial sector,” he said.
Overall, the Punjab Budget has sparked varied opinions in Mohali, reflecting a broader debate among residents and stakeholders about its impact and effectiveness.
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