The Punjab government on Thursday presented its development budget proposals for 2026, allocating billions of rupees for IT and artificial intelligence projects.

The proposed development program includes more than Rs 4.22 billion worth of new schemes. Among the allocations, Rs 10 billion is earmarked for the Chief Minister’s Priority Program, Rs 10 billion for smog eradication, and Rs 88 billion for the Chief Minister’s Internship Program Phase II.

The budget also proposes Rs 72.5 billion to expand broadband coverage in urban areas. Plans to establish a modern AI platform and government cloud infrastructure for monitoring industrial pollution across Punjab have been included.

Additional allocations have been made for socio-economic data collection, freelancing and bootcamp programs, One Map Punjab, and sustainable development goals.