Chandigarh: The first day of the six-day Punjab Vidhan Sabha session concluded within 10 minutes on Thursday, with Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan announcing that the House would reconvene on Friday.
Although non-official business had been scheduled after the obituary references, the Speaker announced the next sitting without taking up the remaining business.
The House paid tributes to eight victims of a road accident in Sangrur, former minister Chuni Lal Bhagat, former MP Varinder Singh Bajwa, former MLA Ranjit Singh, eminent doctor Rattan Lal Mittal and the mother of MLA Manjit Singh Bilaspur.
The Congress sought the inclusion of anti-drug activist Bikramjit Singh of Batala and Gulzar Singh, who died by suicide in Dirba, in the obituary references. However, the request was not accepted.
Punjab Assembly Session: Why Are Drugs And Law And Order Major Issues?
The session is expected to witness a confrontation between the Opposition and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over the illicit drug trade, gangsterism, corruption allegations and the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.
Congress legislators have accused the Bhagwant Mann-led government of failing to control organised crime and narcotics trafficking. The Opposition is expected to seek accountability from the Chief Minister over the law and order situation.
Congress MLAs also burnt an effigy of Bhagwant Mann outside the Vidhan Sabha complex on Thursday. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa were among those present at the protest.
Bajwa has said the Opposition would press the government on law and order rather than allow the issue to go unanswered during the session.
The killing of Jhota is also expected to feature prominently in the debate. The incident has brought renewed attention to allegations concerning the illegal sale of habit-forming drugs and action against those suspected of involvement. Opposition leaders have questioned the government’s ability to protect anti-drug campaigners and dismantle drug networks.
The AAP government, meanwhile, is expected to cite its ‘Yudh Nashiyan Virudh’ campaign and blame previous administrations for the drug problem.
BJP Leader Sunil Jakhar Brings Families Affected By Drugs
Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar accompanied two women from Abohar to the Vidhan Sabha complex. Their family members had recently died allegedly due to drugs, and the women demanded justice and action against those involved in the illicit trade.
Chandigarh Police later rounded up the women and took them away, according to the supplied account.
The issue adds to the pressure on the government as political parties prepare to debate the scale of drug trafficking and the measures taken to address it.
The ruling party is also expected to question the Centre’s efforts to prevent narcotics from entering the country through Gujarat’s ports and across the International Border, which is guarded by central forces. It may also target the previous Congress and Akali Dal-BJP governments over their handling of the drug menace.
Resolution Seeking CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
Another contentious issue on the session’s agenda is a proposed resolution seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The government is also expected to face questions over corruption allegations, including those arising from a CBI case involving AAP government functionaries.
The six-day session could therefore see competing political claims over accountability, governance and the role of the Centre in addressing Punjab’s challenges.
Women’s Relief And Farmers’ Issues Also Likely To Feature
The state government is expected to announce another relief measure for women during the session. The proposal could become a significant part of the government’s agenda as it seeks to highlight its welfare initiatives.
Farmer-related matters are also likely to be raised, including Punjab’s riparian rights over river waters and demands for the repeal of the Dam Safety Act.
The AAP government is expected to highlight its record on crop procurement and its claim that farmer suicides have declined during its tenure. These issues could lead to further exchanges between the treasury benches and the Opposition as the Assembly resumes on Friday.
