The Punjab Budget session began today with the inaugural address by Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is set to highlight its welfare initiatives while the Opposition is prepared to attack the government over rising public debt (over Rs 4 lakh crore) and the law and order situation.The 11-day session will see the AAP government present its fifth and final Budget before the next Assembly elections. Finance Minister Harpal Cheema is expected to present the Budget proposals on International Women’s Day on Sunday.This will be the first time in the history of Vidhan Sabha that the Budget will be presented on a Sunday.The government is likely to announce a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,000 for women, a key promise made by the party during the Assembly elections. The move is aimed at consolidating support among women voters, who constitute nearly 48 per cent of the electorate in the state.Sources said the Budget was unlikely to introduce new taxes.Ravneet Bittu slams AAP for skipping Governor’s addressMarch 6, 2026 12:22 pmThe representatives of the AAP government holding press conferences outside the Vidhan Sabha during the Governor’s Address reflects a complete disregard for constitutional propriety. The ruling government should at least have the courtesy to attend the Governor’s Address in the…— Ravneet Singh Bittu (@RavneetBittu) https://twitter.com/RavneetBittu/status/2029810144478138860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>March 6, 2026Governor Kataria concludes his addressMarch 6, 2026 12:16 pmConcluding his address during the Budget Session of the Punjab assembly with “Jai Hind”, Kataria added after the National Anthem that ‘Vande Mataram’ should also be made part of the House proceedings.90 per cent of Punjab households benefitted with free electricity up to 300 unitsMarch 6, 2026 12:13 pmGovernor Kataria said that about 90 per cent of the households in Punjab have benefitted with free electricity up to 300 units.Daytime power supply to spare farmers from working in biting coldMarch 6, 2026 12:13 pmGovernor Kataria said that by providing power supply during the day, farmers can work during so-called office hours and are no longer forced to toil in the biting cold at 2 am.Punjab launches country’s 1st fully digital flood relief systemMarch 6, 2026 12:04 pmPunjab has launched the country’s first fully digital flood relief system, enabling rapid surveys and direct only transfers of compensation.’Mega road upgrade work undertaken by Punjab Mandi Board’March 6, 2026 11:54 amGovernor Kataria says the Punjab Mandi Board, as the nodal agency, has undertaken the project for the upgrade/modernisation of damaged roads at a cost of Rs 12,597 crore.’SAP for sugarcane highest in country’March 6, 2026 11:53 amThe government plans to construct 3,443 km of new water courses. At least 2,650 km of work under this has been completed, he says. Under the pilot project launched in districts of Sangrur, Bathinda, Sangrur, Jalandhar and Kapurthala, a financial assistance of Rs 17,500 per acre is being provided to farmers. The Governor says the government increased State Agreed Price (SAP) for sugarcane by Rs 15 per quintal making it Rs 416 per quintal, which is highest in the country.Guv speaks on mega road upgrade projectMarch 6, 2026 11:53 amGovernor Kataria says Punjab Mandi Board, as the nodal agency, is undertaking the project for upgrade and modernisation of damaged roads at a cost of Rs 12,597 croreGovernor continues speech, talks about edu sector boostMarch 6, 2026 11:43 amContinuing the speech, Governor Kataria says under ‘Punjab Sikhya Kranti’, the government has recruited 13,765 teachers since 2022 and sent 234 principals and education officers for leadership development programmes to Singapore, IIM-Ahmedabad and Turku, Finland. Punjab has emerged as the top performer in Parakh Rashtriya Sarvekshan 2024. A total of 118 government schools are being converted to state-of-the-art Schools of Eminence, says the Governor. As many as 192 students qualified JEE mains and 679 students qualified NEET, he added.Congress MLAs walk outMarch 6, 2026 11:37 amHardly 17 minutes after the session began, Congress MLAs stage a walkout.Cong MLAs enter Well of the HouseMarch 6, 2026 11:34 amAs the Governor speaks about the special programmes launched by the government in the health sector, Congress MLAs enter the Well of the House, raising slogans such as “Punjab Sarkar Muradabad”. The Governor continues to speak about the increased seats in medical colleges. He says drug deaddiction programmes have been expanded in the state.Congress MLAs enter the well raising slogansMarch 6, 2026 11:32 amAll Congress MLAs stand up to raise objections. The Governor tells them to lodge their protest at the right time at the right forum. However, sloganeering by Congress MLAs continues.Bajwa raises objectionsMarch 6, 2026 11:23 amLeader of Opposition, Punjab Legislative Assembly, Partap singh Bajwa stands up stating his objections to government functioning. Kataria asks him to sit down while he read out his address but Bajwa refuses to sit down and continues to speak even as the Governor continues his address.Governor Kataria begins inaugural addressMarch 6, 2026 11:21 am’Jo Bole So Nihal,’ said Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab, while giving the inaugural address of the Budget Session of the Punjab assembly.