Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Punjab government has called a one-day special sitting of the Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday to examine the consequences of recent changes to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), a scheme that supports thousands of rural households across the state.
At the centre of the discussion is a resolution to be tabled by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, seeking intervention by the Centre. The resolution urges that MGNREGA be preserved in its original form — as a need-based and legally guaranteed employment programme funded entirely by the Union government. The state has expressed concern over provisions of the revised VB G RAM G Act, stating that these measures increase the financial responsibility of states and weaken job security for rural workers.
The special session will also see the introduction of three amendment bills related to land and revenue matters. These include changes to laws governing abadi deh records, stamp duties, and land revenue, all of which are slated to be placed before the House for discussion during the sitting.
The atmosphere in the Assembly is expected to be tense, with opposition parties preparing to corner the BJP over alterations to the rural employment framework. At the same time, BJP legislators are likely to push for a debate on the prevailing law and order conditions in Punjab.
Outside and inside the Assembly, the issue has drawn visible reaction from rural representatives. MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura submitted petitions signed by labourers, highlighting what he described as deep anxiety among villagers. According to him, workers believe the employment guarantee programme has been steadily weakened, leaving many uncertain about how they will manage daily livelihoods in the absence of assured work.
With sharp political exchanges anticipated and multiple bills on the agenda, the special session is expected to underline the growing friction between state and central governments over welfare policy and governance priorities.
