3 weeks ago
Punjab MLA Khaira urges session extension to debate six Bills
A man who helps make laws in the Indian state of Punjab is worried.
His name is Sukhpal Singh Khaira, and he is a member of the Legislative Assembly.
The government wants to vote on six new laws on the very last day of the Assembly meeting.
Mr. Khaira thinks one day is not enough time to read and discuss these big laws.
The new laws would create three digital universities, change tax rules, and deal with workers hired by the government.
He asked the government to keep the Assembly open for a few extra days.
He also asked the Speaker of the Assembly, Kultar Singh Sandhwan, to help.
Mr. Khaira says lawmakers should not simply stamp their approval like a rubber stamp.
He believes important laws should be talked about carefully because they will affect the people of Punjab for many years.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira urged the Punjab government and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to extend the Assembly session by at least a few more days.
Six Bills are scheduled for consideration on the last working day of the session, Monday, according to official Legislative business.
The Bills include three digital university Bills, Goods and Services Tax (GST), outsourced personnel and contractual engagement, and common infrastructure.
Khaira said rushing the Bills through the House reduces the Legislative process to a mere formality and is 'not meaningful Parliamentary democracy'.
He appealed to the Speaker to uphold the dignity of the Legislature and allow adequate time for study, stakeholder consultation, and amendments.
- Who
- Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, and the AAP-led Punjab government.
- What
- An appeal to extend the Punjab Assembly session so six Bills scheduled for the last day can be properly debated and scrutinized.
- Where
- Chandigarh, Punjab, at the Vidhan Sabha.
- When
- Khaira's statement was made on Sunday, ahead of the Bills' proposed consideration on Monday, the last working day of the session.
- Why
- Because the six Bills have far-reaching implications for Punjab and Khaira argues that rushing them would undermine meaningful parliamentary democracy.
Key facts
- MLA
- Sukhpal Singh Khaira (Congress)
- Speaker
- Kultar Singh Sandhwan
- State Government
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
- Number of Bills
- 6
- Key Bills
- Three digital university Bills, GST, outsourced personnel and contractual engagement, common infrastructure
- Schedule
- Last working day of session (Monday)
- Request
- Extend session by at least a few more days
- Location
- Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Chandigarh
Quotes
Sukhpal Singh Khaira
Punjab MLA, Congress party
“"The Vidhan Sabha is not a rubber stamp for the Cabinet. The purpose of the Legislature is to scrutinise legislation clause‑by‑clause, debate its merits and demerits and protect the interests of the people of Punjab."”
thehansindia.com
“"How can six new laws, having far-reaching implications for Punjab, be properly scrutinised, debated and passed on the last working day of the Assembly session? This is not meaningful Parliamentary democracy."”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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