Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Monsoon Session of the Punjab Assembly began on Monday with stormy scenes as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Opposition Congress engaged in a heated confrontation on the very first day.
Congress targeted the government over the alleged pharmacy examination paper leak. Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa attacked Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, recalling that Bains had recently participated in the Jantar Mantar protest against the NEET paper leak.
Bajwa alleged that six paper leak incidents had taken place in Punjab during the last four-and-a-half years, including five linked to the Education Department and one to the Health Department. He questioned whether the Education Minister or the Health Minister would take moral responsibility for the incidents and resign.
Responding to the allegations, Harjot Singh Bains launched a sharp counterattack on the Congress. He said that Opposition leaders live in "big houses and travel in big cars" and accused Bajwa of leaving the House when it was time to hear the government's response.
Bains said he had come to the Assembly fully prepared and was ready to answer every question raised by the Opposition. He also described the Congress leaders as "fugitives" for allegedly avoiding the debate.
The exchange quickly escalated into a war of words between the treasury benches and the Opposition, with members raising slogans and shouting across the House. The atmosphere turned tense as the confrontation intensified.
During the uproar, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also took a dig at the Congress, saying, "Today it is the Congress itself that has leaked in Punjab. Our government is doing good work."
The remark triggered fresh slogan-shouting from both sides, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the proceedings for some time.
The session, which is scheduled to continue until 10 August, is expected to witness further confrontations between the government and the Opposition on issues related to paper leaks, governance, education, and public accountability.
GOVT to Add 100 Mini Buses to PRTC and Punbus Fleet Soon, Cheema informed
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema informed the Assembly that the state government will soon add 100 mini buses to the fleets of PRTC and Punbus to strengthen public transport services across Punjab.
He also said that the tender process for 800 new buses has already been completed and the bodies of these buses are currently being prepared.
According to the minister, the new buses will be deployed on various routes across the state to improve connectivity and passenger convenience.
The routes for these buses are expected to be finalised within the next one month. Cheema shared this information while replying to a question raised by MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj during the Assembly session.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Paid tribute to NEET Paper Leak Victims.
Tribute Paid to NEET Paper Leak Victims
Punjab Assembly’s Monsoon Session commenced on Monday and will continue till August 10. This is the final Monsoon Session of the Bhagwant Mann-led government during its current term.
The session began with members paying tribute to deceased personalities. During the obituary references, the Assembly also paid homage to students who allegedly lost their lives due to the NEET examination paper leak controversy.
Congress MLAs Arrive in Black Clothes
The session began amid strong protests from Congress legislators. Congress MLAs arrived at the Assembly wearing black clothes. The opposition is expected to aggressively target the Mann government on issues related to education, governance, and accountability throughout the session.
