In a significant step towards promoting social justice and inclusivity, the Punjab Legislative Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Punjab Law Officers (Engagement) Amendment Act, 2025, presented by Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema. This landmark amendment enables the Punjab Government to notify relaxation in the minimal annual professional income criteria for engagement of Scheduled Caste candidates as law officers in the office of Advocate General Punjab.
Presenting the bill during a special session focused on protecting Punjab's waters, Finance Minister Cheema said that this amendment will provide adequate representation to Scheduled Caste candidates in the office of the Advocate General Punjab. He highlighted that the Aam Aadmi Party had promised to appoint lawyers from poor and backward families, and this amendment fulfills that commitment.
The Finance Minister explained that the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, had reserved 58 posts in the Advocate General's office for Scheduled Caste candidates. However, many seats remained vacant due to the high income limit set by the 2017 law. This amendment aims to reduce the income limit, making it more accessible for Scheduled Caste candidates to join the office of the Advocate General.
Finance Minister Cheema also addressed the Congress party's stance on this issue, stating that despite having two cabinet ministers from Scheduled Castes, they failed to protect the rights of these communities. He recalled his own efforts to advocate for reservation in the 2017 Act, which were unfortunately not accepted by the previous Congress government.
Cabinet Minister Mohinder Bhagat and MLAs including Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, Budh Ram Singh, Nachhatar Pal, Rajneesh Kumar Dahiya, and Vikramjit Singh Chaudhary thanked the Finance Minister and the state government for bringing this much-needed amendment.