Rural Development and Panchayat Minister Ranjit Singh Brahmpura introduced the Bill, to which Congress MLAs Partap Singh Bajwa and Sukhpal Singh Khaira said it appears the government had introduced the Bill in fear of losing the coming panchayat polls.

However, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MLAs Jagdish Singh Garcha, Hira Singh Gabaria and

Virsa Singh Valtoha supported the Bill, claiming it was a step towards empowering panchayats.

Mohinder Kaur of the SAD alleged that voters are influenced by offering liquor, to which Congress MLA Avtar Singh Brar asked the government to introduce a Bill on prohibition of liquor in the state. However during a heated debate on the Bill, the BJP members remained silent. Both Parkash Singh Badal and Rajinder Kaur Bhattal were absent from the house.

The Assembly also passed two other important bills - the Guru Granth Sahib World University, Bill, 2008, and the Punjab Compulsory Registration of Marriage Bill, 2008, without any discussion.