Panjab Assembly Clears Nine Bills in Three Hours; Opposition Cries Foul

August

2026

In a sitting lasting nearly seven-and-a-half hours without a lunch break, the Panjab Assembly cleared nine Bills on 10 Aug—the final day of the monsoon session—even as the Opposition members expressed concern over complex legislation being rushed in without proper debate. The Panjab Assembly passed the Punjab Regulation of Fee of Un-aided Educational Institutions (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to cap fee at 5% by private unaided educational institutions; approved the Punjab State Outsourced Personnel Transition to Contractual Engagement Bill, 2026, under which 28K eligible outsourced personnel who have completed five years of continuous service would be considered for direct contractual engagement. It cleared the establishment of three private digital open universities, and approved amendments to the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act (GST)—aimed at simplifying GST compliance by reducing litigation, facilitating post-sale discount adjustments, and export-related refunds—and the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994. The Assembly cleared all nine Bills in less than three hours. The Assembly also witnessed a heated debate on 5 Aug as it passed a resolution lauding the Aam Aadmi Party government for providing 68,228 jobs on merit and ensuring transparency in the recruitment process over the past four-and-a-half years. The resolution was passed amid objections from the Opposition who demanded that the government release a white paper on recruitments made during its tenure. On 6 Aug, Indian National Congress Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), joined by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), staged a walkout over alleged rampant illegal mining in the state, demanding the constitution of a committee to investigate the matter. Responding to the allegation, Mines and Geology Minister Barinder Goyal blamed the union government for allegedly withholding funds from Panjab. To this, BJP MLA from Pathankot Ashwani Sharma said, ‘If a girl is born in someone’s family, even that becomes the Center’s (union government’s) fault. But if a boy is born, it is because of your hard work.’ The remark drew strong objections, with women MLAs rising in protest and demanding that Sharma withdraw his statement and issue an unconditional apology. Meanwhile, Samyukta Kisan Morcha (United Farmers’ Front) and central trade unions organized nationwide road and rail blockades across 1K on 10 Aug, coinciding with the Quit India Day in 1942 during India’s freedom struggle. They were targeting free trade agreements, corporate policies, and unfulfilled agricultural demands (earlier coverage).