Punjab budget session to begin on March 20

THE STATE BUDGET FOR 201819 IS LIKELY TO BE PRESENTED IN THE HOUSE ON MARCH 24

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab cabinet on Wednesday decided that the budget session of the Vidhan Sabha be held from March 20 to 28, while the state budget for 2018-19 is likely to be presented in the House on March 24.

A decision to this effect was taken in the meeting chaired by chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh here, authorising the governor to convene the fourth session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha as per Article 174 of the Constitution.

The session will commence with the governor’s address at 11 am on March 20, followed by obituary references. The first day will have two sessions. The motion of thanks on the governor’s address will be moved on March 21 and would be followed by discussions on it. The discussions will continue the next day too. The spokesperson further said that there would be no session on March 23 on account of Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s martyrdom day.

Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for 2016-17 (civil, commercial), financial accounts of the state government and appropriation accounts for 2016-17 are expected to be tabled on March 24. Presentation of supplementary demands for grants for the year 2017-18, appropriation bill on supplementary demands for grants for the year 2017-18, as well as presentation of budget estimates for the year 2018-19, are also likely to take place on March 24.