Punjab's finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema launched the Unified Sanction Management System (USMS) on Friday, aimed at digitizing the sanction process across various government departments. This new platform replaces traditional paper-based methods with a fully digital workflow, enhancing financial management, transparency, and accountability. The USMS will facilitate online sanction issuance and integrate with the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS) for streamlined bill generation and payment processing. Cheema emphasized that the system records each sanction processing stage digitally, ensuring a complete audit trail with timestamps and user credentials. Additionally, it will validate budget availability before sanctions are issued, helping departments avoid overspending and adhere to budgetary constraints. Developed in line with the Government of India’s financial reform guidelines, the successful rollout of the USMS could qualify Punjab for a ₹50 crore incentive under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) scheme for 2026-27.