The Punjab Cabinet agreed on Wednesday to call a special session of the State Assembly on November 8 to reject the Centre’s notification extending the authority of the Boundary Security. The Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, also approved the Punjab Anti-Red Tape Rules, 2021, drafted by the Governance Reforms and Public Grievances.
The decision was made in light of the recent all-party meeting, held on October 25, at which it was unanimously decided to call a special session of the State Assembly. The Cabinet also approved revisions to the Punjab Right to Business Act, 2020, to include the expansion of existing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) under the Act’s ambit.
The change to the aforementioned Act creates an enabling ecosystem for existing MSMEs to expand and function in the state through self-declaration, exemptions, faster approvals, and inspections. Channi said the Cabinet has decided to abolish the institutional tax, a long-pending demand of the sector, as part of a flurry of steps for the state industry ahead of the Progressive Punjab Investors Summit, 2021.
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The decision to call the extraordinary session was made during the Punjab cabinet meeting on Wednesday at Circuit House in Ludhiana. Channi told a press conference following the cabinet meeting at Circuit House in Ludhiana on Wednesday that if the Centre does not resolve both issues – the rollback of three farm laws and the cancellation of notification to extend BSF jurisdiction – by November 7, a special Assembly session will be held the next day to oppose the Centre.
Channi claimed that expanding the BSF’s jurisdiction on Punjab borders from 15 km to 50 km was a “direct attack” on the federal system and the states’ right to maintain peace and order. “It was a lopsided decision.” There was no consultation with Punjab. It is our prerogative to maintain the law and order situation in our state. This decision will be challenged in the special Vidhan Sabha session on November 8.
