Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
The final day of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Monsoon Session is expected to witness significant legislative activity, with around eight bills likely to be introduced in the House. Among the key proposals are the Punjab Common Infrastructure (Amendment) Bill, the Unaided Educational Institutions Fee Amendment Bill aimed at curbing arbitrary fee hikes in schools, and the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Bill.
The outsourced personnel bill is being seen as one of the most important measures of the session. It proposes bringing nearly 65,048 outsourced employees out of the existing outsourcing and contractor-based system and placing them under the Punjab Government on a contractual basis.
According to the government, employees currently working through private contractors would no longer have to serve under outsourcing agencies if the legislation is passed. The Punjab Cabinet has already approved the repeal of the 2016 law and cleared two new bills — the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Bill, 2026 and the Punjab Contractual Personnel Bill, 2026.
In the first phase, more than 26,000 employees are expected to benefit. Group-C and Group-D outsourced workers who have completed five years of service would be brought directly under government contract. The proposal also includes a provision for regularisation against vacant and approved posts after completing 10 years of contractual service with the government.
Opposition seeks extension of Assembly proceedings
The last day of the session is also likely to be marked by political confrontation. Opposition parties are demanding an extension of the Assembly proceedings and are expected to raise the issue during the sitting, increasing the possibility of disruptions.
Dam situation under constant monitoring, says Irrigation Minister
Punjab Irrigation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the state government is continuously monitoring the condition of Punjab’s dams and that water is being released strictly according to requirements.
He advised MLAs to verify facts with officials before making public statements on dam-related issues. Referring to an earlier controversy surrounding the Bhakra Dam, the minister said inaccurate statements had created unnecessary concern among the people of Punjab.
Congress adopts aggressive stance; BJP raises mining issue
Congress appeared unusually aggressive during this Assembly session, with its MLAs arriving in the House wearing black scarves and targeting the AAP government on several Punjab-related issues.
The ruling AAP government, on the other hand, attacked the BJP-led Central Government and even moved a proposal critical of the Centre. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan both took aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the proceedings.
Speaker Sandhwan criticised the Centre over several issues, including the Prime Minister’s reported “friends” remark and the E20 ethanol-blended petrol policy.
Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma cornered the Punjab Government over the issue of illegal mining and sought a detailed response in the House. Congress members also suggested the formation of a committee to investigate the matter.
With crucial bills on the agenda and sharp exchanges expected between the ruling party and the opposition, the final day of the Punjab Assembly’s Monsoon Session is set to be both politically charged and legislatively significant.
