*Led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Cabinet gives nod to Budget Estimates for 2026–27*
*Punjab Cabinet clears Supplementary Demands for Grants 2025–26 & Budget Estimates 2026–27 for presentation in Vidhan Sabha*
*Budget Estimates 2026–27 to be presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on March 8 after Cabinet approval*
*Punjab Cabinet approves tabling of CAG Audit Reports and Finance & Appropriation Accounts for 2024–25 in Vidhan Sabha*
CHANDIGARH, 6th March 2026:The Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday cleared the presentation of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2025-26 and Budget Estimates for the year 2026-27, along with CAG audit reports for the year 2024-25, in the ongoing budget session of the Vidhan Sabha.
A decision to this effect was taken by the Council of Ministers in its meeting held at the Vidhan Sabha Secretariat on Friday.
Disclosing this here today, the Chief Minister’s Office stated that the Cabinet gave the go ahead to Supplementary Demands for Grants for the financial year 2025-26. Likewise, it also gave its nod to the Punjab Budget Estimates for 2026-27 to be presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on March 8 (Sunday). Similarly, the Cabinet also approved the laying of Audit Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and the Finance and Appropriation Accounts of the Government of Punjab for the year 2024-25 on the table of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
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Speaker Punjab Vidhan Sabha and Chief Minister extend warm welcome to the Governor of Punjab at Vidhan Sabha
Chandigarh, 6 March 2026:S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Speaker of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, along with S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Chief Minister of Punjab, today extended a warm welcome to Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, on his arrival at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
On the occasion, a Guard of Honour was presented to the Governor by the Punjab Police. The Governor had arrived at the Punjab Vidhan Sabha to address the House on the first day of the Budget Session.
Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan and Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann also presented a memento and a traditional Lohi to Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria as a mark of respect. The Governor expressed his delight over the warm welcome accorded to him.
Among others present on the occasion were Cabinet Minister S. Harpal Singh Cheema, Cabinet Minister S. Aman Arora, Dr. Ravjot Singh, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Punjab, Shri K.A.P. Sinha, Chief Secretary, Punjab, S. Nachhatar Pal of the Bahujan Samaj Party, S. Manpreet Singh Ayali of the Shiromani Akali Dal and S. Jangi Lal Mahajan of the BJP.
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*Congress Boycott of Governor’s Address Proves They Cannot Tolerate Punjab's Progress: Cabinet Ministers*
*Congress Only Promoted Liquor, Sand, and Transport Mafia; Left Punjab’s Treasury Empty: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*After Delhi and Bihar, Congress Faces Total Wipeout in Upcoming Punjab Elections: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Congress' Boycott of Governor’s Address Proves They Can't Stand Punjab’s Progress: Aman Arora*
*Congress Treated Dalits & Poor Only as Vote Bank: Harbhajan Singh ETO*
CHANDIGARH, 6th March 2026:Punjab Cabinet Ministers Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora and Harbhajan Singh ETO on Friday launched scathing attack on the Congress party condemning the party’s decision to boycott the Governor’s address. The Cabinet Ministers asserted that the opposition’s disruptive behavior and sloganeering in the House were desperate attempts to divert public attention from the state’s developmental milestones.
In his address, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the Congress government’s legacy in Punjab is defined by the growth of liquor, sand, and transport mafias rather than the state’s treasury or its people. “While the previous regime allowed state resources to be plundered, the current AAP Government has focused on fiscal discipline and real development,” he stated, adding, “The Congress, which has already been reduced to zero in states like Delhi and Bihar, is headed for a similar total wipeout in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections because of their anti-people and anti-Dalit stance.”
Minister Harpal Singh Cheema sharply criticized the opposition's conduct in the House, stating, "The Punjab Governor requested the Congress party twice to sit, listen, and provide their reply during the discussion, but the Congress acted in a completely anti-democratic way. Their behavior proves they have no respect for constitutional decorum."
He further slammed the Congress for their mindset toward the Dalit community, citing the disrespectful treatment of his cabinet colleague, "The people are well aware that Congress is anti-Dalit. Look at the example of Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO, who cleared the civil services to serve as an officer and later joined AAP to serve the public. Yet, the Congress leadership had the audacity to equate such a qualified individual with a 'Band Baja.' Today, when our colleagues expressed their anger by bringing a band along with them, the Congress leaders became frustrated because they cannot face the truth of their own arrogance."
Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said that the action of the opposition Congress in the Vidhan Sabha today is a shameful spectacle and a direct assault on democratic traditions. “Their behaviour is an insult to the House and to the 75-year-old parliamentary traditions of the state. For the past 75 years, the Governor's address has been a solemn occasion to present the state's report card and future roadmap to the people. Yet, from the very first word of the Governor, a constitutional head, the Congress chose to boycott and disrupt the proceeding with malicious slogans,” stated Aman Arora.
He further pointed out, “This chaos is a deliberate tactic to distract from the real issues of people and the massive developmental work done by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led by the Punjab Government. They have no interest in discussing the people's welfare.”
Minister Aman Arora underscored the AAP government's achievements, citing over 63,000 youth employed in government departments, Aam Aadmi Clinics expanding healthcare access in every neighbourhood and 90% families enjoying uninterrupted free power supply. “Farmers, who once roamed fields all night under Congress-Akali rule now get secure, daytime power. For the first time, water was diverted to the tail ends of Punjab's canals, benefitting our farmers directly,” he noted.
Aman Arora asserted, “Unlike the previous governments who nurtured gangsters, CM Bhagwant Mann government has demolished their illegal assets, registered cases against them, and restored public faith by launching a ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ to wipe out the drug menace.”
Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in his address said that the Congress party has, till date, treated Dalits, the poor and labourers merely as material and a vote bank rather than as human beings. “The remarks made by Partap Singh Bajwa against the Dalit community at Jandiala Guru on February 6, 2026 exposed the anti Dalit mindset of Congress leaders and laid bare the true face of the Congress party. Anti Dalit policies of the Congress would ultimately prove to be the final nail in its coffin in the 2027 Assembly elections,” he asserted.
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*PUNJAB VIDHAN SABHA PAYS TRIBUTES TO DEPARTED SOULS*
Chandigarh, 6 March 2026:The Punjab Vidhan Sabha, on Friday paid tributes to departed souls who had passed away since the last session of the Assembly.
During the 12th Budget session of the 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the House paid respects to the departed soul of Raghbir Singh former Minister of Punjab, S. Gurdeep Singh Bhaini former Member of the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Dalip Singh Freedom Fighter, Matyr Jobanjeet Singh Sowar, Ashok Dhir former Punseed Chairman, Sandeep Galhotra father- in - law of Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, Renu Gupta wife of Punjab MLA Dr. Ajay Gupta, Ram Krishan father of Punjab MLA Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, Sukhwinder Kumar brother of Punjab MLA Nachhatar Pal, Renowned Journalist H K Dua, G L Kaul former Secretary Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Punjabi Poet Navrahi Ghugyanvi, Raja Singh founder of Indian television brand Texla.
A two-minute silence was observed in the memory of departed souls as a mark of respect during the obituary references.
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*Power Tariffs Reduced for Domestic, Commercial and Industrial Consumers in Punjab*
*Domestic consumers to benefit from reduction of up to ₹1.5 per unit, commercial tariffs reduced by up to 79 paise and industrial tariffs by up to 74 paise*
*Tariff reductions & policy reforms will strengthen MSMEs and boost economic growth in Punjab: Sanjeev Arora*
*Electricity tariffs reduced across categories to provide relief to households, businesses and industry in Punjab: Sanjeev Arora*
*EV charging tariff reduced to ₹5 per unit, among lowest in India*
*PSPCL becomes efficient profit-generating power utility with A+ rating & ₹2634 crore profit*
CHANDIGARH, 6th March 2026:In a major relief for households, businesses and industries across Punjab, electricity tariffs have been reduced across consumer categories for FY 2026–27, bringing down power rates by up to ₹1.5 per unit for domestic consumers, up to 79 paise per unit for commercial users and up to 74 paise per unit for industrial units.
The new tariff order, issued by the Punjab State Electricity Regulatory Commission chaired by Viswajeet Khanna, IAS (Retd.), along with Members Ravinder Singh Saini (Member Technical) and Ravi Kumar (Member Legal), will come into effect from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
Highlighting the development as a major pro-people step, Power Minister Sanjeev Arora said the tariff reductions across categories will provide substantial relief to households, strengthen MSMEs and boost industrial competitiveness in Punjab. He added that the reduction of EV charging tariff to ₹5 per unit, among the lowest in the country, along with the financial turnaround of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), which has secured an A+ rating and recorded a ₹2634 crore profit, reflects the growing efficiency and strength of Punjab’s power sector under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The revised tariff structure brings down electricity rates across consumer categories while maintaining the financial strength of the power sector. Domestic consumers will see reductions of up to ₹1.5 per unit depending on consumption slabs, commercial establishments will benefit from reductions of up to 79 paise per unit, and industrial consumers will see tariffs reduced by up to 74 paise per unit.
During a media interaction, Power Minister Sanjeev Arora stated, “Under the leadership and guidance of Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has ensured that electricity tariffs remain consumer-friendly while also supporting industrial growth and economic development in the State.”
Highlighting the benefits for domestic consumers, Sanjeev Arora said that households will continue to receive substantial support through the Punjab Government’s flagship free electricity initiative. “300 units of electricity per month, which translates to 600 units per billing cycle, remain completely free for households. More than 90% of households in Punjab are already benefiting from the free electricity scheme introduced by the Bhagwant Singh Mann Government,” said Minister Sanjeev Arora.
He added that even for households consuming beyond the free quota, tariffs have been reduced. “For consumption above 300 units, the tariff has been reduced by ₹0.70 per unit, providing additional relief to higher-consumption households,” said Minister Sanjeev Arora.
The Punjab Government has also reduced fixed charges for domestic consumers. For households with a load between 2 kW and 7 kW, fixed charges have been reduced by ₹5 per kW, while for loads between 7 kW and 20 kW, fixed charges have been reduced by ₹10 per kW.
*Commercial consumers will also benefit significantly from the revised tariff structure*
“For commercial consumers with load up to 7 kW, tariffs have been reduced by ₹0.79 per unit for consumption up to 500 units and by ₹0.65 per unit for consumption above 500 units,” said Minister Sanjeev Arora.
He added that for commercial connections with a load between 7 kW and 20 kW, fixed charges have been reduced by ₹10 per kW per month, while energy charges have been revised to ₹6.10 per unit for consumption up to 500 units and ₹7.10 per unit for consumption above 500 units.
*The Punjab Government has also ensured stability and competitiveness for the industrial sector*
“For the industrial sector, energy charges have not been increased for FY 2026-27. In addition, fixed charges for industrial connections have been reduced,” said Minister Sanjeev Arora.
He explained that for industrial connections with load up to 50 kW, fixed charges have been reduced by ₹10 per kW per month, while for connections between 50 kW and 100 kW, fixed charges have been reduced by ₹15 per kW per month. “These measures will improve cost competitiveness for industry and strengthen the growth of MSMEs across Punjab,” said Minister Sanjeev Arora.
In another important decision aimed at providing relief to professionals, electricity connections in lawyers’ chambers registered with the Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana and located in court complexes will now be charged under domestic tariff instead of commercial tariff.
The tariff order also records that operational efficiencies in the power sector have enabled an overall consumer relief of ₹7851.91 crore while maintaining financial sustainability.
The development also reflects the financial turnaround of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) under the Bhagwant Mann Government. The order notes that the regulatory framework and financial discipline in the power sector have enabled PSPCL to become an efficient and profit-generating power utility. PSPCL has secured an A+ rating and recorded a profit of ₹2634 crore in the financial year ending March 31, 2025.
Another major highlight of the tariff order is the reduction in the average cost of electricity supply in Punjab. The average cost has declined to ₹6.15 per unit compared to ₹7.15 per unit in the previous year, making it the lowest average electricity cost in the last ten years.
The tariff order also provides a major push to clean mobility by reducing the electricity tariff for EV charging stations to ₹5 per unit, placing Punjab among the states with the lowest EV charging tariffs in the country.
In addition, the Commission has introduced several consumer-friendly measures including increasing the applicable limit for the Small Power category from 20 kW to 50 kW to promote ease of doing business, continuation of special night tariff benefits for industrial consumers, and a reduction in the green energy tariff to encourage greater adoption of renewable energy by industries.
The PSPCL to focus on further improving operational efficiency and financial performance. Key targets include reducing distribution losses by around 20%, lowering power purchase costs through improved planning and procurement, and increasing the integration of renewable and green energy in the power mix. These steps will further strengthen the financial health of PSPCL, reduce subsidy dependence over time and ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable electricity supply for the people of Punjab.
Reiterating its commitment to public welfare and economic growth, Minister Sanjeev Arora stated that it will continue working towards providing affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity while supporting industrial growth and investment in Punjab.
*Big relief for electricity consumers in Punjab*
Electricity tariffs for FY 2026–27.
*Domestic Consumers*
• 300 units/month remain FREE (over 90% households benefit)
• Up to 300 units: ₹5.40 ➝ ₹3.85 per unit (₹1.55 relief)
• Above 300 units: ₹7.75 ➝ ₹7.05 per unit (₹0.70 relief)
*Commercial Consumers*
• Up to 500 units: ₹6.89 ➝ ₹6.10 per unit (₹0.79 relief)
• Above 500 units: ₹7.75 ➝ ₹7.10 per unit (₹0.65 relief)
*Industrial Consumers*
• Small industry: ₹5.82 ➝ ₹5.70 per unit
• Medium industry: ₹6.25 ➝ ₹5.83 per unit
• Large industry: ₹6.60 ➝ ₹5.90 per unit
• Relief up to ₹0.74 per unit
*EV Charging Stations*
• ₹6.28 ➝ ₹5 per unit
• Among the lowest EV charging tariffs in India
*Other Key Benefits*
• ₹7851 crore relief to consumers
• Average electricity cost reduced to ₹6.15/unit (lowest in 10 years)
• PSPCL profit ₹2634 crore with A+ rating
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