Amidst demand by the opposition parties, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha’s Budget session has been extended till March 4, adding three more working days. Now, the session would have nine working days.The Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal will present the Budget proposals for 2020-21 on February 28, which was earlier scheduled for February 25.
The decision was taken by the Vidhan Sabha’s Business Advisory Committee (BAC) with the Speaker Rana Kanwar Pal Singh as its ex-officio chairman. The BAC has Parliamentary Affairs Minister Brahm Mohindra, Finance Minister Manpreet Badal, Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot as its members, besides Leader of Opposition Harpal Singh Cheema, and Congress MLA Kushaldeep Singh Kiki Dhillon as other members.
Sports Minister Rana Gurmeet Singh Sodhi and SAD legislative party wing leader Sharanjit Singh Dhillon were special invitees. As per the new programme, the session, which commenced on Thursday with obituary references, would resume after three holidays from Monday when the debate on Governor’s address would be held for next three days.
Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore had addressed the Assembly during the two-day special session convened to ratify SC/ST Bill to extend reservation in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies by another 10 years, on January 16-17.
The reports of Comptroller and Auditor General of India will be tabled on February 26, along with the supplementary grants for 2019-20, and appropriation bill on supplementary demand for grants for 2019-20.
After presentation of Budget estimates on Friday, the discussion on the same will be held on March 2 and 3, with the last day dedicated for the legislative business.
The session was extended after the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Aam Aadmi Party had demanded extension of the session. While the SAD demanded 25-day session, AAP urged the Speaker to hold at least 15-day session.
Welcoming the move, AAP MLA Kultar Singh Sandhwan said that a detailed discussion should be held on the Centre’s proposed move to forego the MSP regime and the agriculture situation.
SAD PROTEST ON HIGH POWER TARIFF
Irked over the Speaker Rana KP Singh’s decision to reject its adjournment motion over the high power tariff, the Shiromani Akali Dal on Thursday held a protest inside and outside the Punjab Assembly. During the zero hour, SAD MLA and legislative wing leader Sharanjit Singh Dhillon opposed the Speaker’s order saying that it was not accepted.
Speaker clarified that the motion was rejected as the Budget is to be presented, and debate is to be held on the Governor’s address to the House. “The house is very much functioning and that is why your adjournment motion cannot be accepted,” said the Speaker.