Chandigarh, March 27 -- Punjab's outstanding debt of Punjab is projected to surpass the Rs.4-lakh crore mark in the 2025-26 financial year.

The state government is expected to borrow Rs.34,201 crore, taking the total state debt liability to Rs.4,17,136.10 crore by March 31, 2026, according to the 'Budget at a Glance' document tabled by finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema in the state assembly on Wednesday. This marks an approximate 9 per cent increase from the current fiscal's outstanding debt of Rs.3,82,934.98 crore.

For 2024-25, the government initially projected an outstanding debt liability of Rs.3,74,091.31 crore, but it ended borrowing an additional Rs.8,844 crore. "These extra funds were raised with the approval of the Union fin...