Senior Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira has urged the Punjab government and Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to extend the ongoing Assembly session. He wants more time for proper discussion on six Bills that are listed for consideration.
According to The Tribune, Khaira made this demand on Sunday. He pointed out that the Bills have been introduced at the fag end of the session, leaving little room for meaningful debate.
Six Bills with far-reaching implications for Punjab
The six Bills cover a range of important subjects. They include proposals related to three digital universities, GST, outsourced and contractual employees, and common infrastructure. These are not minor administrative matters — they touch the lives of many people in the state.
Khaira questioned how legislation with such wide impact could be properly examined, debated, and passed on the last working day of the session. He argued that rushing through these Bills would not serve the people of Punjab.
"How can six new laws having far-reaching implications for Punjab be properly scrutinised, debated and passed on the last working day? This is not meaningful parliamentary democracy." — Sukhpal Singh Khaira via The Tribune
Why the demand for more debate time matters
Khaira's request is not just about procedure. It is about how the state legislature handles important laws. When Bills are pushed through quickly, there is little chance for lawmakers to raise questions, hear expert opinions, or consider the concerns of those who will be affected.
The Bills on outsourced and contractual employees, for instance, directly affect workers' rights and job security. Similarly, the proposal for three digital universities could reshape higher education in Punjab. These are issues that deserve careful attention, not a rushed vote.
Khaira's statement reflects a larger concern about the quality of lawmaking. In our view, his demand for an extension is reasonable. A few extra days of debate could help avoid mistakes that might take years to correct.
Our Take: Rushing laws hurts democracy
To put it plainly, Khaira has raised a valid point. Passing six significant Bills on the last day of a session is not how good governance works. Whether you agree with the Congress MLA or not, the principle he is defending — that important laws deserve proper scrutiny — is one every citizen should support.
The Punjab government and Speaker Sandhwan should consider this request seriously. Extending the session by even a few days would allow for genuine discussion. It would also send a message that the Assembly respects the democratic process.
When laws are rushed, the public loses. Mistakes in legislation can lead to legal challenges, confusion, and harm to the very people the laws are meant to help. A short extension is a small price to pay for getting things right.
We hope the government listens to this demand. The people of Punjab deserve laws that are made with care, not haste.
