Punjab's Debt Balloons From ₹15,250 Crore to ₹4.47 Lakh Crore

A man named Manish Tewari works for the Indian government and is worried about a state called Punjab.

Punjab borrowed money, like when you borrow a toy and have to give it back.

In 1996, Punjab owed ₹15,250 crore.

Today, it owes much more — about ₹4.47 lakh crore.

Tewari says many leaders over 30 years wasted the money instead of using it wisely.

So much money goes to pay back the old debt that very little is left for new schools and roads.

Only about 5.6% of the state's money can be spent on building new things.

Compared to how much money the state earns, Punjab has one of the biggest debts in the whole country.

Tewari thinks leaders should stop giving away free things the state cannot pay for.