Congress demands extension of Punjab Assembly session

Chandigarh, Aug 29 (PTI) The Congress today demandedextending by at least 20 days the 14th session of the PunjabAssembly scheduled to begin on September 8. Punjab Congress Legislature Party (CLP) chief and Leaderof Opposition in the state Assembly Charanjit Singh Channisaid the 14th session of the House, which is scheduled tocommence on September 8 and conclude on September 14, beextended by at least 20 more days. "The government knows this is the last session and thereare important issues to be discussed on the floor of the Houseregarding its working over the last 10 years. These importantfacts would have to be brought to the public domain," he saidin a statement here. The Congress demanded the session to be of at least 25days so that important discussions and the current issues ofthe state are accorded sufficient time. Channi also demanded special discussions on "drugs,law-and-order, farmers’ suicide, atrocities on Dalits,non-deliverance of the welfare schemes announced by the stategovernment, derailed education and health systems, closure ofindustry and the neglected employees and traders andbusinessmen" of the state. The statement added that a CLP meeting, chaired by stateparty chief Amarinder Singh, will be held at Channi’s officialresidence on September 1 where the members will discuss thestrategy to be adopted in the upcoming session of theAssembly. Channi also demanded Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badaland his government be charged with "committing fraud" with thepeople of the state. PTI CHS RC ZMNRC