Chandigarh: The Punjab Assembly’s monsoon session will conclude on Sunday, August 10, with the government expected to bring around eight bills before the House on the final day. The proposed legislation includes measures concerning private school fee regulation and the status of outsourced government workers.
Among the important bills listed for consideration is an amendment relating to fees charged by unaided educational institutions. The proposed changes are aimed at addressing concerns over what the government describes as arbitrary increases in fees by private schools.
Another significant proposal concerns outsourced personnel working for the state government. The Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Bill is expected to provide a framework under which around 65,000 outsourced workers could be brought into direct contractual arrangements with the Punjab government, potentially ending their dependence on outsourcing agencies.
The Punjab Common Infrastructure (Amendment) Bill is also among the legislation expected to be taken up.
Opposition seeks more time for session
The final sitting is likely to witness another round of political sparring, with opposition parties pressing for an extension of the session.
Congress has remained particularly vocal during the proceedings, with its MLAs wearing black headbands as a mark of protest on several occasions and raising issues ranging from recruitment examinations to law and order and the state’s finances.
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, meanwhile, has used the House to target the BJP-led Centre on several issues. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan have repeatedly criticised the Union government during the proceedings.
The E20 fuel issue also figured prominently, with the Assembly passing a resolution seeking deferment of the mandatory use of E20 petrol until technical concerns are addressed.
BJP, Congress raise issues against Punjab government
While the ruling party targeted the Centre, opposition MLAs also sought to put the Punjab government on the defensive.
BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma raised the issue of illegal mining and demanded an explanation from the government. Congress MLAs backed the demand for greater scrutiny of the issue and suggested setting up a committee to examine allegations surrounding mining activities.
The Congress also repeatedly raised questions over recruitment examinations and alleged irregularities.
What happened during the session?
The session began on August 3 with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema moving a resolution condemning the BJP-led Centre over alleged examination paper leaks. Congress members simultaneously raised the alleged pharmacy officer exam paper leak in Faridkot and demanded the resignation of the Education Minister before walking out.
On August 4, the House unanimously passed a resolution seeking a delay in the mandatory implementation of E20 fuel until technical concerns are addressed.
The following day, the Punjab Cabinet cleared several ordinances and bills, including the proposed legislation dealing with outsourced employees and private school fee regulation. The same day, AAP and Shiromani Akali Dal MLAs were involved in a heated exchange over the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill-2026.
Congress legislators staged another walkout on August 6, citing concerns over law and order, Punjab’s debt burden and the government’s failure to restore the Old Pension Scheme.
The following day, the political confrontation moved outside the Assembly as government employees and pensioners marched in Chandigarh seeking restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and payment of pending DA arrears. Police used water cannons to disperse the protesters.
With the session entering its final sitting, the proposed bills and the opposition’s demand for additional discussion are expected to keep proceedings politically charged until the House adjourns.
