A six-day special session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly begins today. During this session, which will run until October 27, confrontations are expected between the ruling party and the opposition over issues such as drug trafficking, law and order, and corruption. The session will commence with tributes to prominent figures who have passed away.
Following this, five reports and three significant resolutions will be presented in the House. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is likely to focus its attention on the BJP-led central government, while the opposition prepares to corner the AAP government over its actions against the drug menace and the state of law and order.
**Focus on the ‘Jhota’ Murder Case and Law and Order**
The opposition may raise the issue of the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh ‘Jhota’ in the House. The Congress party might also demand the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa has already stated that the government will not be allowed to evade accountability regarding the law and order situation. Furthermore, there are plans to target Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the suicide of a laborer, Gulzar Singh, from Turbanjara. The Aam Aadmi Party may respond to the opposition’s allegations by highlighting the achievements of its ongoing anti-drug campaign, while also attributing the drug problem to previous administrations. Additionally, questions may be raised regarding the central government’s role in curbing the smuggling of narcotics through ports in Gujarat and across the international border.
**Move Against the Chief Election Commissioner**
The Aam Aadmi Party government is preparing to bring a resolution against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Meanwhile, the opposition may corner the government over the actions taken by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Aam Aadmi Party is likely to characterize these actions as acts of political vendetta. Tributes to four prominent figures; five reports to be presented
In the House, condolence motions will be moved following the passing of former Minister Chunni Lal Bhagat, former MP Sardar Basdir Singh Bajwa, former MLA Ranjeet Singh, and the renowned doctor Ratan Lal Mittal.
During the session, the 55th Annual Report (2021-22) of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation, the annual accounts (2017-18) of the PEPSU Road Transport Corporation, and the 16th Annual Report and accounts (2018-19) of the Punjab State Grains Procurement Corporation Limited (PUNGRAIN) will be tabled in the House.
Additionally, the annual statements of accounts for the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) for the years 2020-21 and 2021-22 will also be presented.
Proposals regarding the Silk Route, hospitals, and electoral rolls
A proposal by MLA Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra recommends that the issue of reopening the ancient Silk Route—to boost trade with Central Asian countries—be raised with the Central Government. The proposal also touches upon the reduction in farmer suicides and the agricultural benefits derived from the availability of canal water.
Another proposal by him calls for naming the emergency wards of government hospitals in Punjab after Bhai Kanhaiya Ji, and for taking steps to commemorate his birth anniversary at the national level.
Meanwhile, a proposal by the Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, calls for the cancellation of electoral rolls prepared under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. It recommends that elections be conducted based on updated electoral rolls derived from a physical, door-to-door verification process.
This proposal also seeks to raise the matter with the Central Government, the Supreme Court, and the Election Commission, with the aim of safeguarding voters’ rights and ensuring transparency in the electoral process.
