The Punjab Assembly witnessed high drama on Friday after Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira allegedly made an objectionable comment against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during a heated exchange over the alleged use of a mobile phone inside the House.
During the one-day special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister accused Khaira of using a mobile phone while Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan was reading out an official resolution related to the wage revision.
Rising from his seat, Mann pointed towards Khaira and told the Speaker that the Congress MLA appeared busy on his phone. He requested the Speaker to ask Khaira what had just been said regarding the resolution. Sandhwan then asked the Congress MLA to maintain decorum in the House and listen carefully to the proceedings.
The Chief Minister further told Khaira, “Why don't you go out and then use it (mobile phone).” The remark triggered a sharp verbal exchange between the two leaders, during which Khaira made an allegation against Mann. The Speaker repeatedly appealed for calm and asked members to address the Chair.
Despite the Speaker’s intervention, the argument continued, with both Mann and Khaira pointing fingers at each other, leading to disruption of Assembly proceedings.
AAP legislators also stood up in protest, with Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema condemning Khaira’s conduct and demanding action against him.
Cheema alleged that Khaira frequently attempts to disrupt Assembly proceedings and criticised his behaviour during the session.
The incident took place while Labour Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond was presenting an official resolution on the revision of minimum wages during the special session, marking International Workers’ Day.
The resolution stated that workers form the backbone of nation-building, society and the state, and that every development project succeeds because of their hard work and dedication.
According to the resolution, the base rate of minimum wages in Punjab was last revised in 2012. While dearness allowance has increased since then, the base wage itself has not been revised.
On the occasion of May Day, the Assembly proposed revising and increasing minimum wages for labourers and recommended that the government take an early decision to recognise and honour workers’ contributions.
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