Chandigarh, Apr 9 (PTI) Congress MP and former deputy chief minister of Punjab Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Thursday asked the AAP government in Punjab to release a white paper on the state’s debt as he slammed the Bhagwant Mann dispensation for “raising more debt”.
“The state government should immediately release a white paper on the state’s debt and financial condition so that the public can know the truth,” Randhawa said in a statement here.
The Gurdaspur MP expressed concern over the “rising debt” and alleged that the state was being pushed into a “debt trap.” Referring to the fresh borrowing of Rs 1,500 crore, Randhawa said if the situation continues, Punjab could head toward a serious financial crisis in the coming years.
“The future of Punjab’s people will not be sacrificed for short-term politics and irresponsible financial decisions, and if necessary, the issue will be taken to court and raised in Parliament,” said Randhawa.
He claimed that Punjab is already burdened with heavy debt.
“The total debt of the state has crossed Rs 4 lakh crore and could soon reach Rs 4.47 lakh crore if borrowing continues at this pace,” he claimed.
“The Punjab government is following a policy of taking new loans to repay old ones. A significant portion of the new loans is being used to service previous debt and interest payments,” he alleged.
He emphasised that this is not merely a matter of numbers, but it has a direct impact on the people of Punjab.
“Currently, every individual in Punjab carries an average debt burden of more than Rs 1.25 lakh, and this burden is expected to increase further. A major portion of the state budget is spent on salaries, pensions, electricity subsidies, and interest payments on existing debt,” he said. PTI CHS NB NB
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