<h1>Punjab Joins 26 States in Opting for GST Compensation via Special Borrowing, Accessing Rs. 11,392 Crores in Funds.</h1> Punjab has chosen Option-1 to address the shortfall in Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation, joining 26 other states and all Union Territories with Legislative Assemblies. This decision allows Punjab to access Rs. 8,359 crores through a special borrowing window and an additional Rs. 3,033 crores in borrowings. The Government of India has facilitated this borrowing window since October 2020, raising Rs. 24,000 crores for states and Union Territories. Under Option-1, states can also borrow an additional 0.50% of their Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) as part of the Atmnirbhar Abhiyaan initiative, enhancing their financial flexibility.