Punjab can’t sustain freebies, mounting debt

The report that Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government’s plans to borrow ₹14,700 crore in the Oct-dec quarter from market borrowings is shocking and disturbing. The debt figure has been steadily increasing since the AAP government came to power in Punjab. Ironically, a major share of this debt goes into repayment of the principal amount and interest payments. With this kind of precarious financial state of affairs, Punjab can’t afford to continue with its populist policies like free power, cash dole-outs and other freebies. The government needs to relook at its policy on freebies.

NK Gosain

Bathinda