The opposition in Punjab has launched a scathing attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government, warning that its financial policies are pushing the state towards a severe economic emergency. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has held the administration responsible for what he describes as reckless governance and unchecked fiscal indiscipline.
Public Services Grind to a Halt
Bajwa detailed a grim picture of administrative paralysis affecting core services. He highlighted that over 9,000 employees under the National Health Mission (NHM) had not received their salaries for two months, forcing them into a pen-down strike. This action has put Punjab's essential health services in a critical state, described by Bajwa as "hanging by a thread."
The crisis extends beyond healthcare. With transport workers also on strike, the state's entire public service delivery system has come to a grinding halt. Bajwa termed this widespread breakdown unprecedented, noting its direct and severe impact on the daily lives of common citizens.
Vulnerable Populations at Greatest Risk
The Congress leader issued a stern warning about the human cost of this administrative failure. He cautioned that if the stand-off with NHM employees continues, the state's poorest and most vulnerable citizens would face devastating consequences. These groups rely entirely on the public health infrastructure, which is now inching closer to a total collapse, threatening hospitals, emergency services, and frontline care.
A Debt Trap and Broken Fiscal Machinery
Accusing the AAP government of inflicting deep and lasting wounds on Punjab's economy, Bajwa presented alarming fiscal data. He stated that routine government functioning is now being sustained purely through borrowing, a clear indicator of how badly the state's fiscal machinery has deteriorated.
Projecting a dire future, Bajwa said that at the current pace of misgovernance, Punjab's debt is projected to explode beyond Rs 5 lakh crore by the year 2027. He described this looming catastrophe as the inevitable outcome of irresponsible financial planning and an administration that he claims is completely divorced from ground realities.
The strong criticism from the principal opposition party sets the stage for a major political confrontation over the state's economic management and the deteriorating condition of its public services.
