In a powerful endorsement of Punjab’s fiscal roadmap, AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal hailed the Bhagwant Mann-led government’s budget as a game-changer for the state’s future. Calling it a milestone for Punjab’s all-round progress, Arvind Kejriwal emphasized that the government is making its biggest-ever investment in the war against drugs, rural development, and sports infrastructure. With a vision of transformation, he declared that Punjab will no longer be known as “Udta Punjab” but as “Badalta Punjab.”
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal lauded the budget as a historic step towards transforming Punjab, stating on ‘X’: “Punjab Budget 2025-26 is a bold step towards a drug-free, healthy, and prosperous Punjab. War on drugs, biggest ever investment in rural development and sports infrastructure. The Aam Aadmi Party government is bringing real change on the ground. Now it will be ‘Badalta Punjab’ and not ‘Udta Punjab’.”
A defining feature of this budget is the government’s intensified crackdown on drugs, a long-standing menace that has harmed Punjab’s youth. In another post, Kejriwal reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating the drug trade: “Our government in Punjab has launched a strong war against drugs. Now in the next phase, the big drug suppliers will be attacked. Not a single drug dealer or supplier will be spared. During the Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP governments, they had defamed Punjab by calling it ‘Udta Punjab’. Now people are coming together to make ‘Badalta Punjab’.”
It is noteworthy that during his recent visit to Punjab, Arvind Kejriwal assured the people of Ludhiana that Punjab would be made drug-free and transformed into a prosperous “Rangla Punjab.” He stated that the AAP government in Punjab has waged a war against drugs. In recent operations, several major drug traffickers have been arrested, many have been put behind bars, and drugs worth crores of rupees, along with illicit money, have been seized. He also emphasized that those responsible for introducing drugs into Punjab, the real kingpins of the trade, will not be spared—no matter how influential they may be.
Arvind Kejriwal had also mentioned during his previous visit, that the AAP government would take several crucial steps in the coming days to dismantle drug networks in Punjab. He announced that multiple anti-drone systems would be installed along the Punjab border. Additionally, 5,000 new police recruits are being hired, who will collaborate with the Border Security Force (BSF) to curb drug smuggling from Pakistan. Moreover, starting April 1, a mass movement against drugs will be launched across Punjab. As part of this initiative, he released a helpline number—9779100200—urging people to report any instances of drug sales so that immediate action can be taken. The Punjab government’s budget, presented on Wednesday, fulfills all the commitments made by Arvind Kejriwal.
