Two-day Punjab special Assembly session kicks off; discussion on SYL canal issue, drug crisis and debt problems

Chandigarh, October 20: The Punjab Legislative Assembly is set to convene for a two-day session, commencing today. Expectations are high for a tumultuous gathering as opposition parties, including the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal, have strategised to confront the government on various contentious issues. These issues include concerns raised by Governor Banwari Lal Purohit, the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, the drug crisis, and mounting debt problems. Adding to the complexity, Governor Banwari Lal Purohit has already declared the session illegal.

This two-day session is an integral part of the larger budget session, with preparations underway to pass three significant amendment bills. The bills in question include the Punjab Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Amendment Bill, the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Amendment Bill, and the Indian Stamp Punjab Amendment Bill. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of Punjab has faced opposition, even from the state's Governor, Banwari Lal Purohit, who has expressed his objection to these legislative moves.

Governor Purohit had previously declared the session illegal and had communicated his concerns through letters dated July 24, and October 12, 2023. He underscored that convening such a session went against established procedures and legislative norms, as well as the constitutional provisions. According to Governor Purohit, extending a session beyond the budget session would be illegal, and any legislative activities conducted during such sessions could be deemed invalid.

Governor Purohit urged the government to consider the option of convening a new Monsoon/Winter session, highlighting the importance of adhering to legal processes. He emphasised the need for an agenda to be set to determine the specific business to be addressed during the session, including bills to be passed. The Governor made it clear that a Monsoon/Winter session should be called to handle these legislative matters properly.

In the event that the government persists in conducting the session in defiance of the Governor's objections, it may lead to further actions, including reporting the matter to the President of India.

The Congress, meanwhile, is gearing up for the session and plans to challenge Chief Minister Mann even before the scheduled open debate on November 1. Opposition leader Pratap Singh Bajwa has called a meeting with all Congress MLAs to formulate a strategy. The meeting focused on the key issues on which the government would be confronted. Central among these concerns is the Punjab-Haryana water dispute, as well as the significant matters of the state's staggering debt of Rs 50,000 crore and the issue of drug addiction, which was raised by Governor Banwari Lal Purohit.

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