Punjab Government to Table 2026-27 Budget on International Women's Day
The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is set to present the budget estimates for the fiscal year 2026-27 on March 8, a date that aligns with International Women's Day. This strategic timing has sparked speculation that the budget may include the much-anticipated rollout of a pre-poll promise: a monthly allowance of Rs 1,100 for every woman in the state. The cabinet formally approved the schedule for the Vidhan Sabha's budget session, which will run from March 6 to 16, with key legislative activities planned throughout this period.
Budget Session Schedule and Political Significance
The budget session will commence on March 6 at 11 am with the governor's address, followed by obituary references on the same day. March 7 has been designated as an off day, leading up to the main event on March 8, when Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema will present the budget. Chief Minister Mann defended the decision to hold the session on a Sunday, citing precedent set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Parliament sessions. "If Prime Minister Narendra Modi can get a Parliament session convened on a Sunday, why can't we? We can also table our budget on Sunday," Mann stated, emphasizing the symbolic choice of International Women's Day for what could be a historic budgetary allocation.
Following the presentation, discussions on the governor's address are scheduled for March 9, with budget debates set for March 10 and 11. Non-legislative business will take place on March 12, while March 13, 14, and 15 are off days. The session will conclude on March 16 with legislative business. Finance Minister Cheema highlighted the potential for extension by the Business Advisory Committee if needed, underscoring the session's importance. "It will be a historic budget. You all know that it is also International Women's Day," Cheema remarked, hinting at the budget's focus on women-centric policies.
Women's Allowance Scheme: Promises and Challenges
The proposed Rs 1,100 monthly allowance for women has been a cornerstone of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) electoral promises. Originally pledged by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal as Rs 1,000 per month for women over 18 during the 2022 assembly elections, the amount was increased to Rs 1,100 by Chief Minister Mann ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, implementation has faced hurdles due to financial constraints. In March 2025, the AAP government's fourth budget revealed a projected debt of Rs 4.17 lakh crore and a revenue deficit of Rs 23,957 crore, leading to the stipend being held back as the cash-strapped government required an additional Rs 1,000 crore per month to cover all eligible women.
As the 2027 elections approach, the budget presentation on International Women's Day is being viewed as a potential "Women's Day gift" to the state. Yet, it remains uncertain whether all women in Punjab will be included as beneficiaries under the scheme. The government's ability to fund this initiative amidst ongoing fiscal challenges will be a critical point of discussion during the budget session, with stakeholders closely monitoring the allocation details and feasibility of the promise.
