Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab Vidhan Sabha opened its special four-day session today on a sombre note, with lawmakers paying heartfelt tributes to several distinguished personalities who passed away recently, including celebrated comedian Jaswinder Bhalla, veteran music composer Charanjit Singh Ahuja, and former minister Harpal Singh Tohra.
After the official condolences, the House was adjourned till 12 noon, setting the stage for what is expected to be a charged debate around flood relief, rehabilitation, and disaster management in the state.
Tributes Mark the Beginning
The session began with a moment of reflection, as members from across parties stood in remembrance of nine individuals who made significant contributions to Punjab’s public and cultural life. Among them were army personnel who died in the line of duty, alongside stalwarts from the worlds of politics, music, and entertainment.
The passing of Jaswinder Bhalla, a household name in Punjabi cinema and theatre, and Charanjit Ahuja, a key figure in shaping Punjabi music, drew special mention, with several members recalling their legacy and influence on Punjab’s cultural identity.
Focus Shifts to Flood Aftermath
Once the tributes conclude, attention will shift to Punjab’s devastating monsoon floods, which impacted over 2,500 villages and displaced nearly 3.9 lakh residents. The state recorded 57 deaths, while four individuals remain missing.
A major part of this special session—running through September 29—will focus on post-flood recovery, particularly in rural and low-lying regions that saw severe crop loss, property damage, and infrastructure breakdown.
No Question Hour, But MLAs Will Speak During Zero Hour
In a deviation from routine proceedings, the session will not include a Question Hour. However, the Zero Hour will be held, providing legislators the opportunity to highlight urgent constituency-level concerns, many of which are expected to revolve around flood relief distribution, compensation, and governance lapses.
Funding Under Scrutiny
Flood relief funding is likely to trigger heated exchanges in the House. The Punjab government has officially declared the state as disaster-hit and received ₹1,600 crore in central assistance. However, the Union government has countered, pointing out that the state already has access to ₹12,000 crore through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
The financial tug-of-war between the Centre and the state is expected to become a central point of discussion, with the opposition ready to grill the ruling AAP government over transparency, preparedness, and allocation of relief.
Opposition Plans to Corner the Government
Opposition parties, including the Congress and SAD, have indicated they will question the government’s overall disaster management approach, and may also raise unrelated issues such as law and order, agricultural distress, and employment guarantees.
What Lies Ahead?
As proceedings resume later today, the assembly floor is likely to witness a blend of constructive debate and sharp political criticism. With the state still recovering from widespread flood damage, all eyes will be on how the government responds to calls for increased support, faster rehabilitation, and accountability in relief efforts.
The coming days will test not only the state’s policy response but also its political cohesion in the face of a natural calamity that has affected thousands.
