Addressing the media at the start of the Assembly session, Cheema said the proceedings opened with tributes to Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the four Sahibzadas, and Mata Gujri Ji, marking the state’s continued emphasis on historical remembrance and respect before taking up legislative business.
Shifting focus to governance and policy, the Cabinet Minister stated that the opposition would raise strong objections to what it views as the gradual dismantling of the MGNREGA scheme by the central government. According to Cheema, the proposed bill undermines the core framework of the rural employment programme, prompting the state to demand its withdrawal.
He added that the issue would be officially recorded during the Assembly session, making it a central point of debate. The Punjab government, he said, intends to press for the scrapping of the new bill, arguing that MGNREGA remains vital for rural livelihoods and employment security.
The announcement signals an impending confrontation between the state and the Centre over the future of one of India’s flagship welfare schemes. As discussions unfold in the Assembly, the stance taken by Punjab is expected to resonate beyond the state, potentially influencing wider political and policy debates around rural employment and federal cooperation.
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