Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s budget session, which commenced on Friday and is set to continue until March 28, witnessed high drama and heated exchanges, with the principal opposition Congress staging a walkout over the police action on farmers and the alleged mishandling of a serving Army Colonel’s assault case in Patiala.
The session opened with the Governor Gulab Chand Kataria’s address to the House, wherein he listed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) led Punjab Government's initiatives and achievements. He particularly lauded the Government’s efforts in its “War against Drugs” and acknowledged its sensitivity towards the farmers. However, the Governor’s speech was overshadowed by the Congress legislators’ protests.
As soon as the Governor began speaking, opposition Congress leaders started raising slogans, protesting against the police action on farmers and the assault on the Colonel and his son by police officers in Patiala. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa raised the issue, with his microphone off, even as the Governor continued reading his address. Bajwa demanded the immediate suspension of Patiala district police chief Nanak Singh, accusing him of shielding the guilty police officials in Colonel assault case. Unable to get a response from the government, the Congress MLAs staged a dramatic walkout, chanting slogans of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” both inside and outside the House.
During the Zero Hour, Bajwa again raised the issue of the March 13 incident in Patiala, where a serving Army Colonel and his son were allegedly assaulted by a group of police officers in plain clothes over a parking dispute. The Colonel, who displayed his identity card during the altercation, was reportedly manhandled, and his turban was forcibly removed. Bajwa highlighted that such an act was unacceptable in a Sikh-majority state and demanded a judicial probe by a sitting or retired judge.
Drawing a parallel with a similar 1992 case, where action was taken against a senior police officer, Bajwa insisted that SSP Nanak Singh should be removed immediately. “Instead of ensuring justice, he is shielding his officers. If such incidents continue, the morale of our armed forces personnel will suffer,” Bajwa stated.
“We demand an inquiry by a sitting or retired high court judge into the incident,” Bajwa said.
Row Over Speaker’s Alleged Remarks on Farmers and Drugs
The session took a controversial turn when Congress MLA Pargat Singh accused AAP leaders, including Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, of linking the farmers’ agitation to the rise in drug abuse in Punjab. Pargat Singh claimed that the Speaker had made statements implying that prolonged protests and road blockades by farmers had contributed to the worsening drug menace.
Strongly denying the allegations, Speaker Sandhwan called them “baseless” and demanding evidence of any such statement. “Show me even one statement where I said that farmers’ protests increased drug abuse. Do not misrepresent my words,” he rebuked. The heated exchange led to a ruckus in the House, with AAP MLAs and Congress members shouting slogans against each other.
Pargat Singh further contended that AAP was deflecting blame onto the farmers’ agitation to justify Punjab’s economic losses. He asserted that the real disruption was caused by Haryana's blockade of highways, not the farmers' protests. Accusing AAP of acting at the behest of the BJP, he alleged that the party was deliberately vilifying farmers to deepen political divisions in the border state.
Punjab Mahila Cong Protests over unfulfilled ‘Rs 1,000 monthly to women’ promise
Punjab Mahila Congress on Friday staged a massive protest against the AAP government, accusing it of betraying women by failing to deliver the promised Rs 1,000 monthly assistance. Led by Punjab Mahila Congress president Gursharan Kaur Randhawa, the protest witnessed the participation of Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, CLP leader Partap Singh Bajwa, and Congress general secretary Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
Warring, addressing the gathering, lambasted AAP, stating that despite 36 months passing since the 2022 election promise, the Government had failed to provide financial aid to women. He called it a clear case of deceit, vowing that the Congress would not only ensure AAP fulfills its commitment but also demand arrears of Rs 36,000 per woman for the delay.
Marching towards the Vidhan Sabha, the protesters were intercepted by Chandigarh Police near the Congress Bhawan, where several leaders were detained. The police resorted to water cannons to disperse the demonstrators, leading to injuries among some women protesters.
Governor lists AAP’s achievements; Cong Stages Walkout
Punjab Assembly Budget Session began on a stormy note on Friday as Congress MLAs staged a walkout, protesting against the AAP Government’s handling of key issues, including the farmers' agitation and an alleged police assault on an Army Colonel in Patiala.
Dressed in black armbands, Congress legislators stormed into the Well of the House, shouting slogans against the government at the time when the Governor was addressing the House to mark the beginning of the budget session. The opposition accused AAP of betraying farmers and mishandling law and order in the state.
Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa led the protest, raising concerns about the detention of farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal and the forceful eviction of farmers from protest sites at Shambhu and Khanauri.
Bajwa also cited the recent attack on an Indian Army Colonel and his son in Patiala, alleging that the government had failed to act against the accused effectively. Despite the Governor continuing his address, the Congress MLAs intensified their protests, eventually walking out of the Assembly.
The Treasury Benches responded by thumping desks in support of the Governor’s speech, particularly when he praised the AAP Government’s achievements, including war against drugs; education and health reforms; power sector initiatives among others.
Despite the disruption, Governor Gulab Chand Kataria delivered his over one hour address, outlining the government’s accomplishments and future plans.
The Governor announced that the Punjab Government had circulated a draft agriculture policy to all stakeholders, including farmers and labour unions, seeking suggestions. The policy, formulated by an 11-member expert committee, aims to promote sustainable farming, environmental conservation, and economic growth for farmers.
Additionally, he maintained that the Government had provided over eight hours of uninterrupted electricity to agricultural consumers during the paddy season while ensuring no power cuts for domestic, commercial, or industrial users.
Kataria said that “my government” has intensified its crackdown on drugs, with a high-powered committee under Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema leading the anti-drug drive. The Governor highlighted that the Anti-Gangster Task Force arrested 1,588 criminals, neutralized 13 gangsters, and busted 571 criminal modules, while also seizing 1,477 illegal weapons.
Between January 2024 and November 2024, Punjab Police also dismantled nine terror modules, arresting 59 individuals linked to extremist activities.
In the healthcare sector, the Governor announced that 881 Aam Aadmi Clinics had been established, benefiting nearly 2.98 crore people. Free medicines worth Rs 200 crore will be distributed in government hospitals, while three new medical colleges are set to be built.
The government has also planned major upgrades for district and sub-divisional hospitals, investing Rs 53 crore in X-ray and ultrasound services and Rs 150 crore in hospital infrastructure improvements.
Kataria said that Punjab is set to introduce 347 electric buses in cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Jalandhar. Additionally, Rs 810 crore has been invested in 770 new industrial units, creating new job opportunities.
To support sports development, the government plans to establish 1,000 sports nurseries, while international athletes from Punjab have been awarded Rs 12.96 crore in financial incentives.
The Congress, however, dismissed the Governor’s claims as “political propaganda”. Bajwa accused the AAP Government of betraying the farmers, alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was acting on the instructions of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“AAP came to power by promising to protect farmers’ interests, but now they are using police force against them. Farmers did not block highways, Haryana’s government did. Farmers did not stop trains, the Centre did. Yet, the Punjab government is using force against them,” said Bajwa.
Bajwa also linked Kejriwal’s recent visit to Punjab to the Rajya Sabha elections, suggesting that his Vipassana meditation retreat was merely a cover for securing his political future.
The Assembly will reconvene on March 24 (Monday) to discuss the Governor’s address, followed by the presentation of the Punjab Budget for 2025-26 on March 26. The budget estimates discussion will take place on March 27, setting the stage for another politically charged session.
QUESTION HOUR: Land Compensation Delays Hindering Makkhu Railway Overbridge Project
The session also saw discussions on pending infrastructure projects, with Congress raising concerns over the non-payment of compensation for land acquired for the Makkhu railway overbridge. PWD Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO assured that work on the overbridge would commence soon and that compensation had already been disbursed.
However, MLA Naresh raised concerns about landowners not receiving compensation for the acquired land, questioning how the project could proceed under such circumstances. He highlighted discrepancies in compensation payments, stating that while the road spans 99 feet, there is no clarity on payments for 25 feet on either side.
“The construction of the much-awaited Railway Over Bridge (ROB) on the Harike-Jira-Bathinda section of NH 54 in Makhu will begin within a week,” said the Minister in response to a question raised by MLA Naresh Kataria. He said that all necessary land acquisitions for the project have been completed and the construction contract has been awarded.
DL, RCs to be Issued Within a Month
Residents of Punjab will no longer have to endure long delays in receiving their driving licenses and vehicle registration certificates (RCs). Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar on Friday announced that the printing process has resumed and all pending cases will be cleared within a month. The issue was raised by Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, who pointed out that the printing had been halted since October, causing significant inconvenience to the public.
Pathankot-Haridwar Bus Service to Resume Soon
Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary raised concerns over the discontinuation of the Pathankot-Haridwar bus service. She recalled that during her tenure, the service was operational and its schedule was periodically adjusted for the convenience of passengers. Criticizing the AAP Government for shutting down the route, she urged the restoration of the service, considering its religious and cultural importance. Responding to her concerns, Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar assured that efforts were underway to reinstate the service. He emphasized that once an adequate number of passengers is ensured, financial constraints would not hinder its operation.
No Plans for Food Processing Plant in Khemkaran
Addressing concerns regarding the establishment of a food processing plant in Khemkaran, Rural Development Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal clarified that no such proposal was in place. An MLA had suggested converting 50 acres of eucalyptus plantations in Kulla village into a site for a food processing unit, citing the deteriorating condition of the trees. However, Minister Dhaliwal stated that there was no vacant land available for such a project at the proposed location.
