The Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed four significant Bills during its session. Revenue Minister Bram Shanker Jimpa introduced the first three bills—namely, the Transfer of Property (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Registration (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Indian Stamp (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023. State Water Resources Minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra presented the fourth Bill, the Punjab Canal and Drainage Bill-2023, aimed at ensuring uninterrupted canal water supply for irrigation, maintenance, repairs, and timely upkeep of canals, drainages, and natural water courses.
All four Bills received unanimous approval on the final day of the assembly’s two-day winter session.
The decision to hold the winter session stemmed from Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s prorogation of the budget session earlier in March. This prorogation, following a letter from the Punjab Vidhan Sabha secretariat on November 16, led to a standoff between the AAP-led government and the governor. Typically, prorogation occurs after the adjournment of the House’s sitting sine die. However, the budget session continued until last week, initially adjourning sine die and subsequently holding a two-day special sitting in June and another meeting in October labeled as an “extension” of the budget session. Purohit raised concerns about the validity of these sittings, holding four bills from the June session and withholding approval for three money bills.
The Supreme Court’s intervention on November 10 clarified that governors lack the constitutional authority to challenge the validity of an assembly session convened by the elected arm of the state. It criticized both the Punjab governor for withholding bills and the state government for actions leading to the suspension of the assembly, which undermined the Constitution. Nevertheless, it upheld the speaker’s authority in conducting the House’s business or adjourning its sessions.
Following the state government’s move to the Supreme Court against Purohit for delaying the Bills’ clearance, the governor has since approved the money bills—the Punjab Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Indian Stamp (Punjab Amendment) Bill, 2023.
