UT Budget Session from August 18

PUDUCHERRY: The budget session of Puducherry assembly will begin from August 18 with a speech by the Lieutenant Governor. However the date for presentation of the budget is yet to be decided.The session is expected to be a truncated one as there are only six months to go, after the session, for the financial year to end.  Already a vote on account has been passed for six months and the budget (Appropriation bill) would have to be passed before September 30, to permit the government to draw money.The business advisory committee headed by  the Speaker would meet to decide the duration of the session. Unfortunately the Congress which is the largest opposition party, is yet to appoint its legislative party leader. “ When the necessity arises it would be done,“ is the stand of the Congress. The session is also likely to see interruptions to facilitate the MLAs to participate in an orientation session being organised by Parliament on September 5 and 6.  If the Speaker V Sabapathy decides to participate in the Speakers conference at Jaipur on September 21, there could be more interruptions or the session could end before that.The AINRC government is also going into the session with a five- member ministerial team instead of six. The post of one minister still remains vacant. “It will be filled when required,” said Rangasamy.In fact two ministers are first timers PNL Kalyanasundaram, Minister for transport, education and NG Paneerselvam, Minister for Local Administration .The budget is likely to discuss some of the schemes which are part of the All India NR Congress government’s election manifesto.