Punjab Assembly Debates Inaccurate Departmental Replies and GST Cancellations
Concerns over incorrect or incomplete replies provided by government departments to questions raised by legislators emerged prominently on the third day of the Budget session in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The issue was brought to light during the Question Hour, sparking debates on transparency and accountability in administrative responses.
Water Quality Discrepancy in Faridkot
AAP MLA Gurdit Singh raised a critical issue regarding the quality of drinking water in Faridkot city. He referred to a written response from the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation, which stated that water quality tests conducted on multiple dates—including chemical tests on April 15, 2025, and July 24, 2025, bacteriological tests on May 27, 2025, and January 12, 2026, and a heavy metal test on February 19, 2026—concluded that the water was potable and fit for human consumption.
However, Gurdit Singh contested this claim, arguing that the replies placed in the House often diverge from ground reality. He pointed out that during summer months, groundwater is utilized to meet drinking water needs in urban areas of Faridkot, but officials frequently refuse to supply water, citing the presence of uranium. Singh emphasized that there is no scientific evidence establishing that uranium causes cancer and urged for comprehensive testing of each borewell.
"If the minister is stating in the House that the water is fit for drinking, then why is it not being supplied to people in those areas?" he questioned, calling for clarity from the minister.
In response, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian, who also holds the revenue, rehabilitation, and disaster management portfolio, informed the House that work under AMRUT Phase II is underway in Faridkot to strengthen the water supply system. He detailed a 22 km pipeline project costing Rs 19 crore, which includes replacing old pipelines and is expected to be completed within three to four months.
Flood Compensation Concerns in Sultanpur Lodhi
Independent MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh from Sultanpur Lodhi highlighted another instance of inadequate replies. His question sought details on the extent of losses assessed by the Kapurthala district administration due to flooding. The response indicated that 75 villages in Sultanpur Lodhi tehsil were affected by the 2025 flooding in the Beas River, resulting in losses to crops, houses, and livestock, with the district administration seeking Rs 10.70 crore as compensation, which the government released in full.
However, Singh argued that the response failed to quantify the actual extent of damage. Comparing it to the 2023 floods, where losses were estimated at over 40,000 acres, he suggested that the 2025 devastation could be even higher, warranting compensation around Rs 80 crore. He further claimed that although the government stated Rs 10.70 crore was released, only Rs 8.25 crore was actually distributed to affected people. Singh also noted that landless farmers, entitled to compensation per Government of India guidelines, have not received it so far, urging a re-examination of figures.
Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian clarified that out of the Rs 10.70 crore sought, Rs 10,68,07,507 was disbursed to affected persons, and compensation for damage from heavy rainfall, notified as a state-specific disaster, is being provided.
Parliamentary Practice Anomaly Flagged
Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa pointed out an anomaly in House proceedings, alleging that his question related to agriculture policy was removed from the circulated list because the minister was unable to answer it. He urged Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to prevent such incidents in the future, terming it a wrong parliamentary practice.
GST Registrations Cancelled in Punjab
In a separate development, the state government informed the Punjab Vidhan Sabha that over 77,000 GST registrations have been cancelled in the past three years, with nearly 54% cancelled at the request of taxpayers themselves. This indicates a significant scale of businesses either shutting down or exiting the tax system.
Replying to a question by MLA Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that 41,290 GST registrations were cancelled between April 2022 and December 2025 following applications from taxpayers, including cases of business failure, closure, or bankruptcy. Additionally, enforcement actions recovered Rs 157.11 crore as penalty and interest from small traders with turnover below Rs 5 crore during the same period.
