The Punjab Assembly’s budget session commenced on Friday with the Governor’s address, but the proceedings were marred by protests from Congress MLAs.
Wearing black armbands, Congress legislators accused the state government of “ill-treating farmers” and failing to handle the alleged assault of a colonel by police in Patiala. They stormed the Well of the House, raised slogans against the government, and eventually staged a walkout.
The discussion on the Governor’s address is scheduled for March 24. The state budget for 2025-26 will be presented on March 26, followed by discussions on budget estimates on March 27.
Meanwhile, tensions escalated further on Wednesday when Punjab Police detained several farmer leaders, including Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal, in Mohali. The leaders were returning from a meeting with a central delegation when they were taken into custody, sparking fresh outrage among farmer groups.