Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Badal Accuses Mann Government of Repackaging Welfare Schemes
Sukhbir Singh Badal said Punjab's AAP government is presenting older welfare programs as new achievements.
He said these programs were started by the previous Shiromani Akali Dal government.
The programs include food support, marriage assistance, pensions and pilgrimages.
Badal claimed that some benefits and the number of recipients had been reduced.
He also said several facilities, such as free bicycles, gyms and clean-water plants, had stopped operating.
He criticized the government over crime and alleged that drug trafficking had grown.
Badal said SAD would offer larger benefits and new job-training programs if elected.
He also promised loans and subsidies to help young people and farmers.
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal accused the AAP government of repackaging welfare schemes launched by the former SAD government.
He cited Atta-daal, Shagun, old-age pensions and Tirath Yatra among the initiatives he said were being claimed by AAP.
Badal alleged that welfare benefits and beneficiaries had been reduced, including wheat under Atta-daal and old-age pensions.
He also accused the government of worsening law and order and increasing drug-related problems, allegations not independently established in the report.
Badal promised expanded welfare benefits, skill universities, entrepreneurship loans and other measures if SAD returns to power.
- Who
- Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the Aam Aadmi Party government led by Chief Minister Mann.
- What
- Badal accused the government of repackaging and reducing welfare schemes associated with the former SAD government, while outlining SAD's proposed policies.
- When
- September 23; Badal spoke after a Punjab Bachao rally, while Mann had promoted the Mann da Munafa narrative a few days earlier.
- Where
- Jandiala Guru, Punjab.
- Why
- Badal sought to challenge the AAP government's welfare claims and present SAD's alternative plans ahead of a possible return to power.
Badal's Criticism
Mann Government's Narrative
Ownership of welfare schemes
Badal's Criticism
Badal said the AAP government was taking credit for programs started by the former SAD government.
Mann Government's Narrative
Mann promoted the Mann da Munafa narrative, saying government welfare initiatives provide every family an annual benefit of Rs 1.82 lakh.
Scale of benefits
Badal's Criticism
Badal alleged that benefits and beneficiary numbers had been reduced, citing the reduction of wheat under Atta-daal from 30 kg to five kg.
Mann Government's Narrative
The report presents the government's welfare claims but does not include a direct response to Badal's allegations.
Government performance
Badal's Criticism
Badal accused the government of weakening law and order, allowing drug trafficking to grow and shutting or discontinuing several public facilities.
Mann Government's Narrative
The report does not provide the AAP government's response to these accusations.
- Claimed annual benefit
- Mann said every family receives an annual benefit of Rs 1.82 lakh through welfare initiatives such as free electricity.
- Atta-daal allegation
- Badal said the earlier scheme provided 30 kg of wheat, compared with five kg under the current government.
- Proposed wheat benefit
- Badal promised 50 kg of wheat under Atta-daal if SAD returns to power.
- Proposed pension
- Badal promised to raise old-age pension to Rs 3,100 per month.
- Proposed Shagun benefit
- Badal promised to increase the Shagun benefit to Rs 1 lakh.
- Youth proposal
- Badal proposed Rs 10 lakh entrepreneurship loans and skill universities in every district.
- Other proposed subsidy
- Badal proposed a 75 per cent subsidy for purchasing milch animals.