Punjab Guv calls special assembly session ‘illegal’

The News Freedom

Chandigarh, October 13

In a significant development, Punjab Governor has termed the special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha scheduled for October 20-21 as illegal. In a letter to the Vidhan Sabha Secretary on October 12, the Under Secretary of Punjab Raj Bhawan highlighted that the Governor on July 24 had raised objections over holding such special session on June 19 and 20.  “Based on legal advice, and for reasons stated in the said letter, the Governor had pointed out that the calling of such a session was patiently illegal, against the accepted procedures and practice of the Legislature, and against the provisions Of the Constitution,” the Under Secretary further said.

In view of the recent Supreme Court directions, the government has summoned the two-day Vidhan Sabha session to clarify its stand on the SYL canal dispute.

Giving details, the Under Secretary pointed out that in the present case also the calling of special session is nothing but an attempt to extend the Budget Session which was summoned by the Governor for March 3 and which stood concluded on March 22, after the completion of the agenda for business of the said session. “In view of the reasons stated in letter on July 24, any such extended session is bound to be illegal, and any business conducted during such sessions is unlawful, and ab-initio void” the Under Secretary further said.