Chandigarh: Stormy scenes are expected in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session starting Thursday, with opposition primed to take on the ruling benches. Key flashpoints will likely include the state’s law and order situation — specifically the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota — unmet demands of govt employees regarding dearness allowance (DA), the special intensive revision (SIR) issue, growing debt, drug menace and the CBI probe into the alleged ‘cash-for-transfers’ case.The Congress plans to raise the SIR issue by demanding that the upcoming assembly elections be conducted using pre-SIR voter lists updated through door-to-door physical verification, while rejecting the SIR lists. The party will also demand that the protection of voters’ constitutional rights be taken up with the Centre and the Election Commission to ensure full transparency in the electoral process.Leader of the opposition Partap Singh Bajwa said, “The key issues we plan to raise include law and order, the drug menace, farmers not getting fair prices for their produce in the mandis, unpaid DA for govt employees, and the state’s economic condition. Though the session is brief, we will raise every single one of these issues.”The assembly session is scheduled from Oct 22 to 27 and the first day will begin with obituary references, followed by non-official business that will include calling attention notices and resolutions moved by members.The treasury benches plan to counter by showcasing the AAP govt’s four-and-a-half-year record. Key highlights will include pro-farmer policies that the govt claims have reduced farmer suicides, enhanced canal water access, and raised the state’s underground water table. The AAP MLAs also plan to make suggestions like steps for reopening the silk route for trade with central Asian countries.Congress MLA Sukhwinder Singh Kotli stated that the opposition will press for a discussion on the state’s law-and-order situation, particularly following the killing of anti-drug activist Jhota in Mansa. “Gangsterism has risen in the state, and people are receiving extortion calls. We will also raise the issue of drug-related suicides, including that of Gulzar Singh in Sangrur,” he said.He added that the state’s empty coffers remain another major concern, leaving govt employees waiting for their dues. “The AAP govt has failed to fulfil its promise of reviving the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). Every section of state employees is dissatisfied with the govt. We will also demand a white paper detailing how many govt jobs have actually been provided during the AAP govt’s tenure,” he said.Kotli added that the treasury benches will also have to account for the ongoing CBI probe into the alleged cash-for-transfer scam, which, he said, has dented the AAP govt’s moral high ground and its claims of zero tolerance for corruption.Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh said, “This is their last session. Even in previous sessions, the govt brought several resolutions but failed to stand by them, later notifying the same issues. I don’t think they have much to say, as everyone, including the people of Punjab, knows about their performance over the past four-and-a-half years.”