Punjab’s Budget session began here today with obituary references. The House paid tributes to former ministers Tota Singh and Hardipinder Singh Badal, former MLAs Sukhdev Singh Sukhladi and Shingara Ram Sahungra, Arjuna Awardees Gurcharan Singh Bhangu and Hari Chand.The House also paid tributes to freedom fighters Swarn Singh, Crora Singh and Sukhraj Singh Sandhawalia. The contribution of each of these personalities towards the society was remembered. Vidhan Sabha also made reference to passing away of singer Sidhu Moosewala.
Just before the session began, almost all AAP MLAs, besides ministers rushed to meet and greet Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Mann walked over to the Opposition benches and met and warmly greeted all Opposition MLAs.Ganeive Kaur Majithia has also made her maiden appearance in the House today. Amongst Congress MLAs, the prominent absentee today were Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Rana Gurjit Singh, besides independent MLA Rana Inderbir Singh.Just as the References ended, AAP MLA Jai Kishan Rori suggested to the House that the name of social activist and religious leader Principal Surinder Singh be included in the obituary references, which was agreed by Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan.Congress MLA Dr Raj Kumar wanted the names of those killed because of prevailing law and order situation in Punjab and the names of farmers who have committed suicide because of indebtedness. This suggestion was ignored.Even after the sitting ended, CM Bhagwant Mann stayed on and was seen meeting MLAs from across the political spectrum.
