Punjab Vidhan Sabha passes resolution against Agnipath scheme

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 30

The Vidhan Sabha today passed a resolution against the Centre’s Agnipath scheme, urging the Union Government to immediately roll back the defence recruitment plan in the “larger interest of the country”.

Punjab is the only state to have passed a resolution against the scheme in its Assembly. Two BJP legislators Ashwani Sharma and Jangi Lal Mahajan, however, opposed the resolution.

Roll it back: CM

The Agnipath scheme is not in the nation’s interests. The Centre should either roll back the scheme or people will get it repealed, as was done in the case of the agricultural laws. — Bhagwant Mann, Chief Minister

While moving the resolution on the floor of the House, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the scheme was against the national interests.

“Widespread protests against the scheme have erupted across the country. The Centre should either roll back the scheme or people will get it repealed, as was done in case of farm laws,” said the CM.

Picking holes in the scheme, Mann dared the BJP leaders to enrol their children as Agniveers and afterwards depute them as security guards outside their offices before advocating the scheme for others.

Panel to look into job regularisation

CM Bhagwant Mann on Thursday reiterated his government’s commitment to regularising the services of eligible contractual employees

He announced a three-member Cabinet committee that will remove legal hurdles in the passing of a Bill in this regard

The committee comprises ministers Harpal Cheema, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer and Harjot Singh Bains

Mann said the state government would not hesitate in convening a special session of the Assembly for introducing the Bill

He said the government was sensitive towards the need for regularising the services of employees. TNS

The CM said it was impractical that those undergoing training would study at the same time. He asked the BJP “not to mislead” the people. He wanted to know about the status of an Agniveer who would die while fighting on the front. Leader of the Opposition Partap Bajwa said the scheme was fraught with danger.

Heated exchange between CM Bhagwant Mann, Partap Singh Bajwa

When the Punjab State Legislatures Members (Pension and Medical Facilities Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2022, was tabled in the House, a heated argument ensued between Treasury and Opposition Benches

Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said when an MLA was higher in hierarchy than the Chief Secretary, the former’s pension, if not less, must be on a par with that drawn by the Chief Secretary.

Chief Minister Mann replied, “A government official becomes eligible for pension after having serving for at least 20 years. A man who gets elected as an MLA at 27 becomes eligible for pension just after five years. It is unfair to keep the two on the same pedestal.”

Putting Bajwa in the dock, the CM asked, “When you seek ticket for the Assembly elections, don’t you know how much salary you will draw.”

Bajwa hit back, saying why the CM tried to make everything

dramatic.

“A majority of the retired Army officers are opposing the scheme that will hit the very spirit of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ slogan. Enrolling Agniveers on ‘contract’ would be disrespect to the valour and patriotism of Punjabis,” Bajwa said, adding the state of affairs had come to such a level that the Centre was incapable of keeping regular armed forces.

Opposing the resolution, BJP MLA Ashwani Sharma said it was nothing but playing politics on the issue of security of the country. “The scheme has been wrongly interpreted. It is rather aimed at instilling discipline and patriotism in the youth,” he said.

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