The Election Commission has asked the Cabinet Secretariat to furnish details on the procedure followed by then UPA-II government for postponing the Union Budget presentation in 2012, following the Centre’s response defending its decision to make the Budget announcements on February 1.
The Commission had earlier referred to the government representations of the Opposition parties demanding that the Budget presentation be postponed in view of the Assembly elections in five States. They alleged that Budget announcements might help the ruling party influence voters.
‘Annual exercise’
In its response, the Central government is learnt to have defended its decision stating that the Union Budget is an annual constitutional exercise and it covers the entire country.
It also stuck to its decision to advance the Budget presentation arguing that it was done to ensure that the budgetary allocations were made well in time, allowing various sectors to expedite implementation of government projects.
This year, the Budget session is to start from January 31 and the next day, the Union Budget and the Economic Survey are scheduled to be presented.
