Punjab Budget Session Begins with Governor’s Address; Congress Stages Walkout

The budget session of the Punjab Legislative Assembly began on Thursday with an address by Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria. The Governor started his speech by greeting the House with “Sat Sri Akal” and highlighted several achievements of the state government. During his address, the Governor said that Punjab has become the first state to provide cancer treatment assistance under the Punjab Chief Minister Cancer Relief Scheme, which offers financial support for treatment in both government and private hospitals. Governor Highlights Government Achievements In his speech, Gulab Chand Kataria stated that the government has strengthened investment opportunities in the state. During Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s visit to Japan, two Memorandums of Understanding were signed, including a $500-crore agreement with Vardhman Steel. Meetings were also held with several corporations, while trade exhibitions in Tokyo and Osaka helped promote Punjab’s business image internationally. He further said that 456 government schools in the state have been provided with computers. In the education sector, 13,765 teachers have been recruited so far. Teachers have also been sent for training to institutions and countries including Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, Singapore, Turkey, and Finland. The Governor added that ₹74 lakh has been released for installing 385 sanitary pad vending machines. For farmers, a canal water supply scheme worth ₹787 crore has been developed. Work to construct 2,600 kilometres of canal lines has been completed, while a target of 880 kilometres has been set for further expansion. This year, water has already reached 331 kilometres of the network. Additionally, 28 new lift irrigation projects have been developed to supply water to the Kandi region. He also said that Punjab has joined the list of states providing organ transplant facilities, citing liver transplant services as an example. The Governor said the government has launched a campaign against drug abuse. Under this initiative, counterfeit medicines worth more than ₹375 crore have been seized. Authorities have opened 548 Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) clinics, while more than 150 rehabilitation centres are currently operational. He also highlighted the largest recruitment drive of doctors in the state. Since 2022, a total of 934 doctors have been appointed, accounting for about 25 percent of the existing workforce. Recruitment of 400 specialist doctors is currently underway, along with nursing staff. Congress Members Stage Walkout Soon after the Governor began his speech, members of the Indian National Congress started protesting in the House. The Governor attempted to calm the members, but the protests continued and Congress legislators began raising slogans. Despite the disruption, the Governor continued delivering his address and listed the achievements of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government. Congress members eventually staged a walkout from the Assembly during the address. A large number of Chandigarh Police personnel were deployed around the Assembly complex to maintain order and prevent protesters from entering the premises. Earlier, the Aam Aadmi Party had staged a protest with band music against Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa after Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO reportedly referred to him as “Bandwala.” In response, the Congress party announced that it would file a complaint with the Governor and the police, stating that such demonstrations inside the MLA hostel and Assembly premises were illegal. Leader of the Congress Legislature Party Pratap Singh Bajwa said AAP members should play band music outside the Chief Minister’s residence instead, alleging that the Chief Minister had been staying at home for the past month. Meanwhile, the state budget is scheduled to be presented on March 8. The Aam Aadmi Party government is expected to fulfill its 2022 election promise of providing ₹1,000 per month to women. The distribution of this financial assistance is set to begin from March 18.