A special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha in Chandigarh on Tuesday witnessed a sharp exchange as Congress MLA Aruna Chaudhary schooled Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond for his repeated attempts to link the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) solely to the Dalit community.
Chaudhary Corrects Minister on MGNREGA's Broader Reach
During the debate, Minister Sond was persistently connecting the central job scheme with Dalits. This prompted Congress legislator Aruna Chaudhary to rise and point out that MGNREGA provides jobs not just to Scheduled Castes but to the wider poor, labourers, farmers, and common people. Her intervention appeared to take the minister aback.
The moment highlighted a strategic focus by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, which had fielded several speakers from the SC community for the debate on the new VB-G Ram G scheme. Ministers like Harpal Cheema, Lal Chand Kataruchak, and others led the charge, framing the discussion largely around Dalit welfare.
Special Guest and Protocol in the House
The session had its share of inspirational and protocol-driven moments. Sharvan Singh, a 10-year-old boy from Ferozepur, was a special guest seated in the Governor's gallery. He had recently been awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar by President Droupadi Murmu for his service to soldiers during Operation Sindoor. The Speaker welcomed him, and members thumped their desks in appreciation of his courage.
In a separate incident, Speaker Kultar Sandhwan asked BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma to cover his head when he rose to pay tributes to the Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh. Sharma complied with a handkerchief, calling it an honour. Earlier, BSP member Dr. Nachhattar Pal had also spoken with his head covered.
Controversy Over Naming of Scheme and Internal Rifts
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, speaking on the VB-G Ram G Act, voiced serious concerns. He argued that using a religious name for a government scheme sets a dangerous precedent. He questioned how protesters could demand wages or rights if criticising the scheme could be labelled as sacrilege against Lord Ram. Cheema termed it a political tactic to shield the government from criticism.
The Opposition Congress faced internal discord. When Speaker Sandhwan ordered the physical removal of Congress member Sukhpal Singh Khaira from the House, his party colleagues did not walk out in his support. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann challenged them, saying, "Either sit down or walk out."
Another flashpoint occurred when AAP MLA Manvinder Singh Gyaspura remarked that "farmers forced Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw the bills by putting a knee on his neck." BJP's Ashwani Sharma protested vehemently, calling it an insult to the PM. The Speaker said he would get the remarks checked, while Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak later dismissed it as merely a Punjabi idiom.
Other Notable Highlights
MGNREGA workers were present in the visitors' gallery during the session when the resolution against the VB-G Ram G scheme was to be passed. The Speaker acknowledged them, and Finance Minister Cheema was seen waving at them.
In a cultural touch, Punjabi juttis (traditional footwear) from Kotkapura, the Speaker's native place, were exhibited in the members' lounge. This was an initiative by Speaker Sandhwan, who brought dealers from his area to the Assembly.
