The stage is set for the commencement of the budget session of the State Legislature from Friday.
The brief session, with three working days, will start with the presentation of the budget on Friday and it will be followed by discussion on the budget proposals and estimates on Saturday. The Appropriation Bill will be tabled and passed on Monday after which the Assembly would be adjourned sine die.
Impending polls
The government had decided on a brief budget session in view of the impending notification for Lok Sabha elections likely to be issued any time during March first week, bringing into force the model code of conduct prohibiting the government to make any forward looking statements or announce policy decisions. The budget this year is likely to be presented by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao himself in the Assembly as he retained the Finance portfolio after the recent Cabinet expansion and a Minister nominated by him will present the budget in the Legislative Council.
Passage of Bill
Accordingly, the session would witness the passage of a Bill amending the Telangana Goods and Services Act, replacing an ordinance issued recently when the House was not in session.
It would also approve the supplementary demands for grants for the financial year 2018-19.
Speaker P. Srinivas Reddy and Council chairman K. Swamy Goud reviewed the security and other arrangements ahead of the session with senior police officials on Thursday. Minister V. Prasanth Reddy who was entrusted the Legislative Affairs portfolio attended the meeting which discussed about the deployment of police forces within and outside the legislature premises. The Speaker said the police had crucial role to play in the smooth conduct of the Assembly proceedings and senior officials should finalise their plans in this direction.
