The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Budget Session started here today with the House paying rich tributes to prominent politicians, freedom fighters, children who died at an unmanned railway crossing, victims of racial attacks in Australia and even a pop singer who died recently. The obituary references made in the House started with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, who is also the Leader of the House, and ended with Speaker Nirmal Singh Kahlon after many others, including Leader of Opposition Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, remembered the departed souls.

The longest time was spent remembering the traits and contribution of former Cooperation Minister Kanwaljit Singh, who died in a car crash in March this year. Badal described him as a "light house" for the SAD and the spirit behind the function to mark the 300 years of the birth of Khalsa. He also said the Sikh Heritage Complex coming up at Anandpur Sahib was the vision of Capt Kanwaljit Singh.

The House also paid tributes to two students Rajat Garg from Bathinda and Maninder Singh from Kurali, who died in racial attacks in Australia. Badal led the House to pass a resolution pressing upon Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to take up the issue of racial attacks on Indians with his Australian counterpart and set an assurance on their safety and security.

While Sardulgarh legislator Ajit Inder Singh Mofar wanted the name of King of Pop Michael Jackson included in the list of obituary refrences, Chamkaur Sahib MLA Charanjit Singh Channi pointed out that he had raised the question about road accidents on the road from Kharar to Desu Majra in a previous House. But, despite assurances from the minister to improve road conditions, nothing had been done leading to the death of former Captain Kanwaljit Singh on the same stretch.

Channi revealed that as per official record, 225 persons had died on a 4 km stretch on this road during the past 10 months. The number of people who have suffered serious injuries is much higher.

BJP’s Industries Minister felt that Capt Kanwaljit Singh died because he was not being accompanied by a police escort owing to imposition of the model code of conduct. He wanted the government to take up the matter of safety of VIPs with the Election Commission and also seeking a relaxation on some restrictions out of safety concerns.

The others who were paid rich tributes by the House included Umrao Singh, Surinder Singh Kairon, Mani Ram Godara, Sadhu Singh Rajeana and Vimla Dang, all former legislators and minister. Freedom fighters Tara Sing, Sohan Singh Sra, Bhagat Singh Bilga, Kishan Singh, Kartar Singh, Jora Singh, Lal Singh, Kharak Singh, Budh Singh, Bhag Singh and Muni Lal Mehtab were also mentioned. Besides, the House also paid tributes to Sant Ramanand of Dera Sachkhand, who was killed in Austria recently.

The House will now assemble on Tuesday (July 7) at 11 am when Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal will present the state’s Budget. The Budget will be put to debate on July 8 and in the forenoon session of July 9. July 9 afternoon has been kept for non-official business, while the debate on the Budget will be concluded on July 10. July 11 will see a debate on grants and legislative business before being adjourned sine die.

Source: The Tribune