Chandigarh, Dec 16 (IANS): The Congress Legislative Party (CLP) in Punjab has sought a longer session of the state assembly to discus major issues like the increasing drug problem and non-payment of dues to farmers for the paddy procured, a senior Congress leader said Tuesday.

In a letter to Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab assembly and CLP leader Sunil Jakhar, said there are "so many burning issues in the state that need to be discussed immediately in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha".

"I request you to ensure that there are sufficient number of sittings of the Vidhan Sabha. This is required so as to enable enough time to all members to participate in these important discussions," Jakhar said, adding that at least 10 sittings of the assembly were required in the next winter session.

The Punjab cabinet Tuesday agreed the assembly session would be convened Dec 22.

Jakhar said the other issues requiring immediate attention include the rising number of road accidents, collapse of health services, water-logging, industrial units' closure, shortage of sand and gravel and other problems.