Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
The fifth day of the Punjab Assembly’s Monsoon Session concluded peacefully on Friday, with Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan adjourning the House till Monday. During the day’s proceedings, the government introduced the Punjab School Fee Regulatory Bill, which was tabled by the Education Minister. The Speaker informed the House that a detailed debate on the Bill would take place on Monday.
Punjab raises issue of students stranded in Canada
Health Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh raised the issue of Punjabi students facing difficulties in Canada. He said nearly 1,500 international students were currently staging a protest there.
According to the minister, the students had taken admission in 2024 after being told that they would be eligible for work permits upon completion of their studies. However, when they later applied for work permits, many of them were denied approval.
Dr. Singh said reports suggested that some students from the same college had received work permits while others were not even being heard, indicating that there may have been an error at some level. He informed the House that the Punjab Government had contacted the Central Government and sought an appointment to discuss the matter.
The minister demanded that the rejected applications be reviewed again and assured that the Punjab Government would extend all possible support, including legal assistance for students fighting their cases in Canadian courts. He also appealed to MPs of Punjabi origin to come forward and help the affected students.
Speaker warns MLAs over House decorum
Friday’s proceedings began with a sharp warning from Speaker Sandhwan after some legislators were seen engaged in conversation during the session. Intervening immediately, the Speaker told members that if they wished to continue talking, they should do so in the room behind the House and maintain the decorum of the Assembly.
Opposition continues protest
Opposition parties, including the Congress, arrived in the House prepared to corner the government on several issues. The current Monsoon Session is being viewed as the last Monsoon Session of the present government’s term, and with the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections approaching, the opposition has intensified its attacks on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government.
For the third consecutive day, Congress MLAs entered the Assembly wearing black scarves and staged a protest outside the House.
Reports and Bills presented
During the session, the annual accounts reports of the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board for 2020-21 and 2021-22 were presented. The House also moved a proposal for immediate consideration and passage of the Punjab Common Infrastructure (Regulation and Maintenance) Amendment Bill, 2026.
Pargat Singh raises freedom of expression issue
Congress MLA Pargat Singh said that in a democracy, the opposition must have complete freedom to express its views. Referring to recent restrictions allegedly imposed on AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal’s social media account, he claimed it appeared that the BJP government was trying to suppress the voices of its opponents.
He added that opposition leaders should also be allowed to meet Arvind Kejriwal so they could inform him that, according to the Congress, the Punjab Government was also engaged in suppressing people’s voices.
The House will now reconvene on Monday, when the School Fee Regulatory Bill is expected to be the main focus of discussion.
