Even as opposition parties have begun demanding the immediate convening of the Assembly to debate and pass the demand for grants, officials maintain that there was no immediate financial crisis as the government had powers to access budgetary allocations.
On Friday, the CPI (M) said the AIADMK and the DMK have maintained the same policy towards the functioning of the Assembly. While the House was convened for 225 days during the 2006-2011 DMK regime, the Assembly has functioned for only 120 days in the last four years. It was desirable that the House functioned at least 120 days a year, the party said.
Party State secretary, G. Ramakrishnan, said the demand for grants has not been debated and passed and an unhealthy situation prevails in the State where pressing issues could not be discussed in the Assembly.
The procedure in Legislature with respect to estimates is governed by Article 203 of the Constitution. According to the provisions, the passing of the demands for grants is mandatory and in process it is required that each grant be recommended by the Governor and separately put to vote in the Assembly. However, government sources said it was a complete misunderstanding that the State cannot access funds unless the demand for grants is passed.
“Fifty per cent of the original budget expenses can be incurred by the departments. The demand for grants needs to be presented within six months from the date of passing of the budget,” a senior official said.
The Assembly was adjourned on April 1.
The Assembly was adjourned on April 1 after presenting the Budget
