Chandigarh, July 16
Underscoring a truly unique and historic achievement of the recent Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, wherein all acts, bills, and resolutions presented by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government were passed unanimously, Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday attributed this remarkable consensus to the Aam Admi Party (AAP) government’s unwavering focus on the welfare and progress of the state’s populace.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema remarked that in his two terms in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, he had never before witnessed such complete unanimity on all legislative matters. He said that this signalled the meticulously planned and honest approach of the AAP government in guiding Punjab towards new heights of development.
Finance Minister Cheema elaborated that the assembly session was proactively extended by two days on its very first day, facilitating thorough discussions on crucial bills and allowing for meaningful contributions from the opposition. He specifically mentioned “The Punjab Prevention of Crime Against Religious Scriptures Bill, 2025,” which, following an extended discussion, was unanimously referred to a select committee. He said that this bill reflected the commitment of the state government to crafting a robust law that will unequivocally safeguard all religious scriptures from any form of desecration.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema further noted the unanimous passage of a resolution introduced by Water Resources Minister Barinder Goyal on the second day of the session, which strongly opposed the deployment of CISF personnel in BBMB establishments. He pointed out that while the Congress party had given its consent for CISF security to BBMB in 2021, the move was supposed to be a conspiracy against Punjab orchestrated by the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana, with the Congress party’s involvement. Finance Minister Cheema emphasised that over 70 years, the stringent security provided by the Punjab Police has never been compromised by a single incident. He commended the Congress party for rectifying its previous stance by supporting the AAP government’s resolution, which subsequently passed with full consensus.
He said that the “Rayat Bahra Professional University, Hoshiarpur Bill-2025” and the “C.G.C. University, Mohali Bill, 2025”, aimed at strengthening the state’s educational framework, also received unanimous consent from the opposition.
Highlighting “The Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments Bill 2025” which was also passed unanimously, Finance Minister Cheema said that this act, amended for the first time since 1958, provides substantial relief to Punjab’s shopkeepers, particularly small businesses, by ending the long-standing issue of ‘inspector raj’ that often led to harassment. “Additionally, “The Punjab Labour Welfare Fund Bill, 2025,” was introduced, with amendments designed keeping both the employers’ operational ease and workers’ welfare in mind, a sentiment that resonated across all parties, leading to its unanimous passage”, said Cheema.
The assembly also unanimously passed the “Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2025,” which specifically permits bullock cart races at Kila Raipur, thereby protecting and promoting Punjab’s rich cultural heritage. From his own department, Minister Cheema mentioned the introduction and unanimous passage of two bills, including “The Punjab State Development Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2025,” which introduces a Rs. 200 discount for those opting for a lump-sum annual payment, and the “Punjab Appropriation (Repeal) Bill, 2025” aimed at repealing numerous outdated bills from 1985 onwards.
Concluding his address, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema underscored the extensive and constructive discussion held on the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, where all parties unanimously pledged their cooperation in eradicating the drug menace from Punjab.
