With the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the Punjab Assembly, the Opposition Congress on Friday accused the ruling Akali-BJP alliance of running away from the constitutional obligations.
Addressing media after brief sitting on the first day of session, Sunil Jakhar, the leader of Opposition in Vidhan Sabha said that the ruling alliance was trying to evade its democratic responsibility as it had called a session of just four sittings. He said this had exposed the intentions of the ruling party that it did not want to answer the issues of public concern.
After a meeting of the Congress legislature party, Jakhar said that the government has called this session just to fulfill the formality of calling session within stipulated period. “Just two sittings for legislative business and a non-official day is not enough for the assembly to discuss the issues, which need immediate attention,” he said.
Refusing to divulge the strategy of the Congress to be adopted in the session, Jakhar said that the party is well aware of its responsibilities and there were a number of issues, which would be raised in the assembly. He said the issue of White Fly, farmer’s suicides, scam in agriculture department, removal of beneficiaries from Atta Dal scheme, confusion on Industrial policy etc. were the issues, on which every citizen was seeking a reply from the government. All the acts of omission and commission by the government would be exposed on the floor of the assembly, he added.
Criticizing the announcement made by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal to give electricity at a subsidized rate of Rs 5 per unit to the new industries in the state, Jakhar said this announcement has paved way for enclosure of the existing industries in the state, that are paying electricity bills at Rs 7.20 per unit. He said the government is itself confused on its industrial policy which is costing the industry dear.