Fireworks expected in Amarinder govt's first Budget session

The first budget session of the Congress government in Punjab, which commences on Wednedsy, will be stormy, with opposition - AAP and SAD-BJP - set to raise issues like farmer suicides, debt waiver, alleged impropriety in mining contracts and "atrocities" on Dalits. The government is likely to rely on a counter-strategy, with a whitepaper highlighting the 'fiscal mess' created by the previous SAD-BJP regime along with some relief for distressed farmers and pro-people initiatives in the budget to deflate the claims of rival parties.

The session will also see the tabling of the state bill for the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax, an official said.

Punjab Congress Legislative Party (CLP) has convened a meeting later today to chalk out a strategy to counter the opposition onslaught.

Likewise, the SAD-BJP and AAP will also hold their respective legislative party meetings tomorrow to come out with a foolproof plan to corner the government.

"We shall be raising the issue of farmers' suicides, farm debt waiver and sand mining mafia along with other pertinent issues," AAP MLA and leader of opposition in Punjab Vidhan Sabha, H S Phoolka said.

The budget session is scheduled to commence tomorrow with obituary references and will adjourn sine-die after the proposed legislative business on June 23.