Punjab Budget Session Begins Amid Protests and Tensions in Assembly

Haryana (The Uttam Hindu)The budget session of the Punjab government commenced today at 11 am, starting with the national anthem and a speech by Punjab Governor Rose Chand Kataria. However, the session quickly turned chaotic as opposition Congress party members raised a ruckus.

As the governor began addressing issues related to education, Leader of Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, stood up to strongly oppose him. Bajwa, holding a plank to his throat and black stripes on his hands, led Congress legislators in shouting slogans against the state government, including “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” The protests continued as Bajwa raised concerns over police actions during the farmer protests and the assault on his son, a Colonel in the Indian Army, outside Patiala’s Rajindara Hospital.

Despite the uproar, Governor Kataria proceeded with his speech, starting with the slogan “Jo Bole So Nihal” and highlighting the state government's achievements, such as the opening of 881 Common Man Clinics. He mentioned that nearly 2.98 lakh crore treatments and 90 lakh investigations had been conducted, with over 60 crore medicines and tests worth more than 100 crore rupees distributed.

Meanwhile, outside the assembly, Congress women workers faced a tough time as they marched towards the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. Police intervened, detaining several, including Punjab Congress leader Raja Waring. During the protest, water cannons were used, and several women workers were injured.

In the session, the issue of the Flue Railway Over Bridge was raised. Bajwa accused the Haryana government of blocking farmer movements and claimed that Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann played a significant role in the protests during the Lok Sabha elections. Bajwa also highlighted the ongoing issues faced by farmers, with many being detained during protests.

During the assembly, Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar announced that issues regarding driving licenses and printing of RCs would soon be resolved, with pending cases being cleared in a month. Bajwa, however, criticized the delay, pointing out that since October, the work had been halted, causing inconvenience to the public.

Other issues discussed in the session included the Pathankot-Haridwar bus service, the Flue Railway Over Bridge on NH-54, and the food processing plant scheme, with both opposition and government members raising concerns.

Key Takeaways:

- Budget session opened with protests from Congress against the state government.

- Opposition leaders raise concerns about police actions and farmer protests.

- Governor’s speech highlights government achievements, including healthcare initiatives.

- Congress workers detained and water cannons used during protests outside the assembly.

- Key issues discussed: infrastructure projects, public services, and ongoing farmer-related concerns.