India, Oct. 5 -- Punjab today stands at a difficult crossroads. Once celebrated as the breadbasket of India and a symbol of resilience, the state is struggling under the weight of economic stagnation, mounting debt, and historical policy neglect from the past two decades. Beyond fiscal numbers, this is a story of a state whose people have consistently contributed to the nation's progress in agriculture, defence, and industry but now find themselves seeking acknowledgment and partnership from the Centre. What Punjab needs today is not just a bailout; it needs a healing touch.

A state under fiscal strain

Punjab's fiscal health is in dire condition. The state's debt-to-GSDP ratio stands at around 47-48%, one of the highest in the country, ...