Punjab Govt to Seek SC Intervention on Vidhan Sabha Session; Next Session Scheduled for Nov
Chief Minister Mann expressed concerns over the state's financial matters.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has announced its intention to approach the Supreme Court regarding the Vidhan Sabha session following a contentious legislative episode. During a special session of the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Mann expressed concerns over the state's financial matters. He cited that while the government had introduced bills aimed at augmenting future revenues, the state's Governor raised questions about the legality and legitimacy of the House's proceedings.
CM Mann acknowledged that the Governor has the right to scrutinize the government's actions, but he pointed out that since 1997, only two Chief Ministers had held office, and the Governor had never probed issues such as the source of loans and expenditures.
The Chief Minister noted that after the Governor did not grant approval for the budget session, the government had sought recourse in the Supreme Court, a process that concluded within three minutes. However, the legal battle cost the government a substantial sum of Rs 25 lakhs, exacerbating the state's financial woes.
In light of these developments, CM Mann expressed his reluctance to escalate tensions between the government and the Governor and announced that no new bills would be introduced at this time. Instead, the government plans to head to the Supreme Court on October 30 to seek resolution. The CM called for the Vidhan Sabha proceedings to be adjourned indefinitely, indicating that a substantial session would be convened in the first week of November after receiving court approval, during which all pending bills would be introduced.
The proceedings of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha were indeed adjourned indefinitely following the Chief Minister's appeal.
During the assembly session, CM Bhagwant Mann also addressed the issue of drug trafficking, referencing a letter by his predecessor, Captain Amarinder Singh, to the High Command concerning drug-related concerns. The debate took a heated turn, with Partap Singh Bajwa, a prominent political figure, provoking Mann, leading to a deteriorating atmosphere that prompted the suspension of the Legislative Assembly's live broadcast.
Furthermore, the government has decided not to hold any celebratory programs from December 20 to 30, during which week the martyrdom of the entire family of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji is commemorated. Amidst these developments, Chief Minister Mann applauded the transition to a paperless assembly and recognized the remarkable achievements of Punjab's athletes at the Asian Games, emphasizing their contribution to India's victory in the field of sports.