On the second day of the budget session, Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Friday paid tributes to former Minister Jasjit Singh Randhawa, former MlA of joint Punjab Parsani Devi, Baba Ajit Singh Hansali Wale, veteran journalist Vinod Mehta, besides 14 people who left for heavenly abode during the inter-session period.
In 12-minute proceedings during the morning hours, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal paid rich tributes on the behalf of the entire House, and recalled the services of the former ministers, ex-MlA, freedom fighters, journalists, and eminent personalities during the obituary references in the Assembly.
Atwal led the House in paying tributes to the former Congress Minister Randhawa, and former legislature of Joint Punjab Parsani Devi. The names of veteran journalist Vinod Mehta who died recently, and famous journo Tejinder Singh Kohli were also find mention in the obituary references.
The House also recalled the services and contributions of Sant Baba Ajit Singh Hansali Wale to the society in the various fields including education, social, sports, uplifting poor, communal harmony, among others. In addition, tributes were also paid to Kahna Dhesian head Sant Baba Surinder Singh.
At least 12 freedom fighters, who died in the interim period between the previous meeting of the Assembly and the present session were also remembered.
leader of Opposition Sunil Jakhar intervened to condemn the state government for not giving the state honours to former Congress Minister Randhawa on his cremation. Besides, Jakhar also requested the Speaker to include the name of a teacher in Fazilka, Sandeep Narang, who had recently become a victim of three mobsters on motor-bike while saving a local shopkeeper, which was not accepted.
Before concluding the proceedings for the day, the House observed two-minute silence to pay respect to the departed souls.
Congress, which had boycotted the Governor’s address a day before, on Friday attended the House to join the obituary references. After the adjournment of the House, the Congress legislators sat on a dharna in the assembly lounge to lodge their protest against the Centre’s land Acquisition Bill.
“SAD is saying something here and voting in favour of land acquisition bill there…their double-speak is not accepted. They should make their stand clear on this,” said Congress legislative Party (ClP) leader Jakhar.
Jakhar also maintained that even though the Speaker expressed his “helplessness” in extending the session or giving the Congress more time, party would try to raise all the issues concerning people of Punjab. The issues include implementation of Swaminathan report, FCI unbundling, water logging, women safety, employee’s issues, industry problems including VAT and e-trip among others.
Jakhar said that before answering to the Congress’ privilege motion against Bikram Majithia, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal or Speaker “should confirm from the Enforcement Directorate whether Majithia was called as an accused or witness as Majithia had claimed on the floor of the House during previous session that he appeared before ED as witness which is violation of privilege of the Assembly”.