Edition

English

News
City News
chandigarh News
Punjab Budget Session Live Updates: Opposition targets Bhagwant Mann govt over crackdown on protesting farmers, law & order

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Mar 21, 2025, 15:52:39 IST

Punjab Budget Session Live Updates: Opposition targets Bhagwant Mann govt over crackdown on protesting farmers, law & order

The Punjab Assembly budget session (March 21-28) is expected to be intense, with the opposition targeting the AAP government over law and order, rising state debt, and unfulfilled poll promises like the Rs 1,000 monthly allowance for women. Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli criticized AAP for detaining farmer leaders and failing to curb drug trafficking. The opposition is also demanding a white paper on spending in health and education while questioning the government's transparency. With key issues like farmers' protests, crime rates, and financial mismanagement in focus, the session is likely to see heated debates against the Bhagwant Mann-led government.

15:50 (IST) Mar 21

BKU chief Buta Singh Burjgill demands farmers' release before meeting Punjab govt

"We are not afraid, we are not afraid of jail, but we are against atrocities committed by them (AAP-led Punjab government) on farmers. We also want to attend the meeting, but our people should be freed. Once they are freed, we are ready to go for the meeting," says BKU (Ekta Dakonda) chief Buta Singh Burjgill.

15:34 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab minister Harpal Singh Cheema criticises Congress for assembly walkout

— ANI (@ANI)

14:20 (IST) Mar 21

AAP MP Sanjay Singh urges farmers to consider public issues

On Punjab Police's crackdown on farmers, AAP MP Sanjay Singh says, "Commuters in Punjab were facing issues for the past one year, the farmers should also think about this. We respect the farmers, though and we will continue to stand with them."

14:18 (IST) Mar 21

Congress MPs protest at Parliament premises against Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government in Punjab

14:08 (IST) Mar 21

Manish Sisodia’s appointment will strengthen AAP in Punjab: Harpal Singh Cheema

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

14:06 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab govt betraying women over Rs 1,000 Aid: Amarinder Singh Raja Warring

"We decided to do 'gherao' of the Punjab legislative assembly and from the past three years, the state government has been deceiving the women of Punjab and are not fulfilling the promised scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month to women," says Amarinder Singh Raja Warring.

Daily Puzzles

Connect

The Perfect Trace

Play Now

Loop The Loop

Puzzle Circuit

Play Now

Daily Crossword

Special puzzle

Play Now

Classic Matrix

Number Play

Play Now

Mini Crossword

Lite Challenge

Play Now

13:56 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: AAP MP Kang asks farmers to protest in Delhi

"We all know that all the farmer issues are linked to central government and due to the farmer's protest, the people of Punjab have faced a great financial loss. Our own economy was adversely affected due to the protest. So, we request the farmers to go to Delhi and raise their demands," says AAP MP Malvinder Singh Kang

13:43 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Police use water cannons on protesting congress workers in Chandigarh

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

13:27 (IST) Mar 21

Road cleared, fight against centre continues: Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan

On protesting farmers removed from Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan says, "It's just the road that has been cleared. This was becoming an obstacle for the youth of Punjab, for farmers of Punjab, for the import and export of their produce. The fight is against Centre and we should fight it there. We too will join them in their fight but we should not cause a loss to Punjab."

13:21 (IST) Mar 21

AAP will continue Punjab's development and welfare: Manish Sisodia

On his appointment as the in charge of Punjab, AAP leader Manish Sisodia says, "There has been a lot of development in Punjab after the formation of our government in the state. The AAP government will continue to work for the welfare of the people of Punjab and will ensure that every dedicated worker of the AAP feels proud to be a part of the party. The people of Punjab respect Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann a lot"

12:23 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: CPI(M) leader Chigurupati Baburao blames BJP, AAP for Punjab police crackdown on farmers

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

11:18 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: LoP Bajwa to meet governor over farmer issue

— ANI (@ANI)

11:12 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Punjab minister calls farmer leaders meeting in Chandigarh

Two days after Punjab Police cleared the Shambhu and Khanauri borders, removing temporary structures set up by protesting farmers, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian called a meeting with Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leaders in Chandigarh on Friday at Punjab Bhawan at 4 pm.

10:54 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Congress protest outside Punjab Vidhan Sabha

State Congress MLAs including LoP Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa and other leaders protest against the Punjab government on the issue of removal of farmers from the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri Border and Shambhu Border and other issues.

09:44 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: SP MP Rajeev Rai stands with farmers, opposes eviction

On eviction of farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri borders, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Ra says, "Samajwadi Party is very clear that farmers are the food giver of the country respect of farmers is our respect. No wrong should be done to the farmers."

09:08 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border cleared, vehicular movement restored

— ANI (@ANI)

08:44 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: AAP’s handling of farmer protests

The eviction of farmers from Shambhu and Khanauri protest sites and the use of police force to dismantle structures have sparked criticism from the opposition. They argue that the AAP government initially claimed to support the farmers' cause but later turned against them by using force to clear protests. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy and betrayal, especially given AAP’s past statements advocating for farmers’ rights. Congress and other opposition leaders have demanded an explanation from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, calling for a discussion on the government’s stance on farmer issues in the Punjab Assembly.

08:43 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Demand for white paper

Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli has demanded that the AAP government release a white paper detailing how funds are being spent in health and education sectors. The opposition alleges that despite AAP’s promises of improving schools, hospitals, and public welfare, there is little transparency in how the budget is allocated. They are questioning whether funds are being effectively utilized or wasted due to mismanagement. The demand for a detailed financial report will likely be a major debate in the budget session, as opposition leaders push for greater accountability in public spending and governance.

08:43 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Anti-Drug campaign criticism

The opposition has slammed AAP’s anti-drug drive, alleging that the government is only arresting small drug peddlers while major drug traffickers remain untouched. They claim that despite tall promises, the drug menace in Punjab continues to rise, impacting youth and public health. Congress leaders argue that the state government is failing to dismantle major drug networks and is instead making symbolic arrests for political mileage. The demand for a comprehensive anti-drug strategy and strict enforcement of laws is expected to be a key topic in the budget session, as opposition leaders push for accountability and results.

08:43 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Law and order concerns

Opposition leaders have raised serious concerns over the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab, claiming that crime rates have increased under the AAP government. They argue that incidents of theft, violence, and organized crime have surged, making people feel unsafe. Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli accused the state government of failing to take strong action against criminals while ignoring public safety concerns. The opposition is expected to demand a detailed report on crime statistics and police action. The government’s response to these allegations will be a key point of contention in the budget session.

08:42 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Detention of farmer leaders

Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli strongly criticized the AAP government, accusing it of betraying Punjab’s farmers by detaining key farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal. The detention occurred after a meeting with central ministers, raising questions about AAP’s commitment to farmers' welfare. Opposition parties argue that while AAP portrays itself as a pro-farmer party, its actions tell a different story. This move has sparked anger among farmers' unions, who see it as an attempt to suppress their voices. The issue is expected to be a major flashpoint in the Punjab Assembly budget session.

08:41 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Governor's address and Budget schedule

The Punjab Assembly budget session will be held from March 21 to March 28, starting with the Governor's address. After this, members will discuss important governance issues. The state budget for 2025-26 will be presented on March 26, followed by a discussion on budget estimates on March 27. Opposition leaders are expected to question the government’s financial policies and spending. With major issues like law and order, rising debt, and farmer concerns, heated debates are likely. The session is expected to see strong criticism of AAP’s governance and budget decisions from opposition parties.

08:40 (IST) Mar 21

Punjab Budget Session Live: Opposition attack on AAP

The budget session of the Punjab Assembly, scheduled from March 21 to March 28, is expected to be a heated affair as opposition parties prepare to corner the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on multiple fronts. Key issues likely to dominate the discussions include the deteriorating law and order situation, the escalating state debt, and the alleged failure of the AAP government to fulfill its key poll promises. One of the major points of contention is the government's inability to implement its flagship promise of providing Rs 1,000 per month to women, which opposition leaders claim has been completely ignored. Congress and other opposition leaders are expected to use the assembly floor to put the Mann-led government on the defensive, questioning its governance and financial management.

The Punjab Assembly budget session (March 21-28) is set to be stormy, with opposition parties, particularly Congress, targeting the AAP government over deteriorating law and order, rising state debt, and unfulfilled poll promises. Key issues include the detention of farmer leaders, failure to provide Rs 1,000 monthly to women, and alleged mishandling of the anti-drug campaign. Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli criticized AAP for betraying farmers and failing to act against major drug traffickers. The opposition is also demanding a white paper on health and education spending while questioning the government’s financial transparency and governance effectiveness.

Trending