The Government has decided to convene budget session of the Assembly from February 2, well in advance than the previous years for a reason. For second consecutive year, Budget session would be held in two parts, this time on account of holy month of Ramazan during the first week of February.
Sources said major part of the session would be held in first part which would see passage of budget that may continue up to February 20. The government will take up second half after the Eid celebrations expected on March 21. Last year also budget session of the Legislature was held in two parts.The budget session started on March 3 and adjourned for Eid and Navratra celebrations on March 25 after the budget was passed. It resumed the sitting on April 7 for three days only. First half of the budget session from March 3-25 was held during the month of Ramzan. Many MLAs had complained that the Assembly session shouldn’t be held during Ramzan.
However, this time the tentative date for start of budget session with the Lieutenant Governor’s Address is proposed as February 2.
Legislative Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather has said the Assembly Secretariat is preparaing itself for the schedule on these lines. However, dates shall be finalized only after nod from the cabinet . A proposal is likely to be sent to the Government for Cabinet approval followed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. As per the proposal under consideration, Assembly would go for a month long recess from February 18 and the session would then resume after Eid festival.
“We are thinking on these lines. The budget session is proposed for first week of February. We want to complete its major part before start of pious month of Ramzan around February 20. Rest part of the session can take place after Eid celebrations expected on March 21,’’ Speaker said.
As per the sources, tentative date proposed for start of budget session is February 2 but in any case it will be in first week of February as budget has to be passed before February 20 when fasting month of Ramzan is expected to start. Once the budget is passed, major activity of the budget session will be over.Rest of the agenda i.e. the Government business like bills, private members’ resolutions and private members’ bills are likely to be taken up in second half of budget session i.e. after Eid celebrations on March 21.
The Government will also explore the possibility if the budget session can conclude taking few days of Ramzan month i.e. without going for month-long break.However, according to sources, all these possibilities will be discussed in the Cabinet meeting expected to be held shortly which will recommend date of the budget session and Address to the Legislature by the Lieutenant Governor.
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