UP gears up for paperless budget on February 22

Proposal sent to Centre for use of e-vidhan software in state legislature

There will be six training sessions in three days from February 12 to 14. There will be two sessions every day. Each legislator will have to attend one session SURESH KHANNA, UP finance minister

LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh government proposes to present its first paperless annual budget in the state assembly on February 22. Moves are also afoot to make the proceedings of the state legislature paperless.

The state legislature’s budget session would begin here on February 18 with an address by governor Anandiben Patel before the joint sitting of the two houses.

“Yes, we are getting ready to present a paperless annual budget for 2021-22 in the state legislature. We will present the annual budget on February 22, 2021. We are making necessary preparations,” said Uttar Pradesh finance minister Suresh Khanna.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath had asked the state finance department to present a paperless budget for 2021-22 after union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the first paperless budget in Parliament on February 1.

As making the proceedings of the state legislature paperless involves the Centre’s support, complete implementation of the e-vidhan software and training of staff, it may take some time.

“We are ready for implementation of e-vidhan in the state legislature. The Uttar Pradesh government has already sent a proposal to the Centre in this regard,” said state assembly speaker Hriday Narayan Dikshit.

Those aware of the developments said the union government would provide necessary infrastructure, machines, software and other material for implementation of e-vidhan. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) would also be signed between the state government and the Centre on the issue soon. The state government has appointed the principal secretary (parliamentary affairs) as the nodal officer for implementation of e-vidhan in the state.

“Yes, a memorandum of understanding has to be signed between the Centre and the state government and the same may be done soon at a convenient date and time,” said Dikshit. The state government has already asked all the legislators to buy an iPad each before the commencement of the budget session. A three-day training programme is being organised on February 12, 13 and 14 to impart training to the legislators about the use of iPads and accessing and uploading the questions and their replies on the state assembly’s website.

Khanna was seen making a call to leaders of different political parties, urging them to inform their respective legislators about the training session. He informed the party leaders that the legislators could submit a bill of up to Rs 50,000 to buy the iPad and the amount would be reimbursed to them.

“There will be six training sessions in three days from February 12 to 14. There will be two sessions every day. Training will be imparted constituency-wise from 10.30am to 1.30pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm. Each legislator will be required to attend one training session. On February 15, the trainers will be available to remove any doubts or answer any questions,” Khanna said.