MP Satnam Singh Sandhu Supports Appropriation Bill in Rajya Sabha, Hails Union Govt’s
Vision of Self-Reliant India and Punjab’s Development
Union Govt Has Shown Unwavering Commitment for Punjab’s Development in Past 12
Years, says MP Satnam Singh Sandhu Hailing Rs Rs 75,000 Cr Budget Boost for State’s
Highways & Railways
Union Budget 2026-27 A Game Changer for Cooperative & Food Processing Sector : MP
Satnam Singh Sandhu
Allocation of Rs 95,000 Cr for ‘VB–GRAMG' in Union Budget Will Transform Rural India,
says MP Satnam Singh Sandhu
New Delhi,24 March -- Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu, while
speaking in the Rajya Sabha, strongly supported the Appropriation Bill, describing it as a
decisive step toward building a self-reliant and inclusive India in line with the vision of
Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh.
Participating in discussions on Appropriation Bill (2), 2026, in the Rajya Sabha, MP Satnam
Singh Sandhu said the Union government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra
Modi has shown unwavering commitment for the development of Punjab with a record-
breaking hike in Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farmers, establishment of Central health
and educational institutions, infrastructure development and initiatives for strengthening
the state’s cooperative movement and food processing sector. He further added that the
Union Budget 2026-27 has allocated a record amount of Rs. 5,421 crores for railways
infrastructure development in Punjab and with the passage of Appropriation Bill will ensure
transparency and timely spending of the amount.
Paying tribute to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev Thapar, and Shivaram Rajguru whose
martyrdom day was observed as Shaheed Diwas yesterday (23 March), MP Satnam Singh
Sandhu emphasized their ideals of swadeshi, self-reliance, and justice have inspired India’s
transformation in past 12 years under the leadership of PM Modi who has taken initiatives
to dismantle colonial-era legacies and symbols, repealing over 1,600 obsolete laws and
undertaking major legal reforms to replace colonial frameworks such as IPC, CrPC, and the
Evidence Act with citizen-centric laws, aligning governance with Indian values.
Addressing socio-economic development, Sandhu contrasted past decades with recent
progress, stating that earlier slogans of "Garibi Hatao" (eradicate poverty) failed to deliver
basic necessities to the poor.
He said in contrast the nation has embarked on a new trajectory under the leadership of PM
Modi after 2014 and now results are visible to everyone as over 5 Crore hosues have been
sanctioned under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister's Housing Scheme).
“Now, the poor do not merely live under a roof; they live alongside their dreams,” Sandhu
sid adding the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana is providing free ration to more
than 80 crore people, ensuring food security at an unprecedented scale.
Highlighting the challenges faced by his home state Punjab, MP Sandhu said the state faces
a debt burden exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore, along with over Rs 1 lakh crore farmer debt and
rapidly declining groundwater levels. He, however, said allocation of over Rs 5,421 crore for
railway investment in Punjab in the Union Budget 2026-27 along with the development of
National Highways worth over Rs 70,000 crore over the last 12 years stands as a testament
to the Union government's unwavering commitment to the development of Punjab.
Sandhu said the record growth in Minimum Support Price (MSP) procurement by the Union
government, which has increased by 214%, has benefiting farmers significantly as the total
value of MSP procurement, which stood at Rs 1.06 lakh crore in 2013, has now surged to
reach Rs 3.33 lakh crore. The establishment of premier institutions such as AIIMS Bathinda
and IIM Amritsar has further strengthened Punjab’s education and healthcare ecosystem,
he added.
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu also welcomed the government’s “Roadmap for Drug-Free India
(2026–2029)” as a crucial initiative to combat narco-terrorism. He said the development of
new airports, enhanced connectivity, and religious and cultural projects—such as the
Kartarpur Sahib Corridor and the Hemkund Sahib Ropeway—have reinforced Punjab's
spiritual heritage and cultural identity on the global stage.
“Securing convictions for the perpetrators of the 1984 riots further underscores this
government's steadfast commitment to the principle that justice—though it may be
delayed—is ultimately delivered,” Sandhu added.
Highlighting the cooperative sector, MP Sandhu said under the leadership of Union Home
and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, India is witnessing a cooperative revolution, with over
8.5 lakh societies and more than 30 crore members. Citing Punjab’s cooperative institutions
like MILKFED and MARKFED as successful models, Sandhu said with budget provisions
supporting cooperatives, including expanded tax deductions, relief on inter-cooperative
dividend taxation, and exemptions for national cooperative federations have strengthened
the cooperative sector.
Praising the “Viksit Bharat-GRAM G” initiative as a transformative step for rural
development, with an allocation of Rs 95,692 crore for improving infrastructure, livelihoods,
water security, and sanitation, Sandhu said Rs 30,000 crore has also been allocated for
MGNREGA to boost rural employment.
Concluding his address, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu stated that India has moved from a
promise-based system to a performance-driven governance model. He expressed
confidence that the nation is progressing toward the vision of a strong, self-reliant, and
proud India envisioned by its freedom fighters.
He extended full support to the Appropriation Bill and congratulated the government for
presenting a forward-looking and inclusive budget.