Delhi Assembly's budget session begins today, fireworks likely over sealing issue

New Delhi: The Budget Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly will begin from Friday. The budget session will conclude on March 28.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Delhi cabinet on Thursday.

The decision was taken during a meeting attended by CM Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Secretary Anshu Prakash.

This was the first official meeting attended by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and chief secretary Anshu Prakash after their controversial midnight meeting at the former’s residence. 

Finance secretary SN Sahay and GAD secretary MK Parida also attended the meeting. 

“The Budget Session will commence from 16 March and conclude on March 28,” a statement from the government said.

Being the first session of the year, Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor will address the Assembly on 16.03.2018 at 11.00 am. 

The formal sitting of the House will commence at 2.00 pm.

Discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor will be held on 19th and 20th March, 2018.

The budget will be delivered by Deputy CM Manish Sisodia who also holds the finance portfolio.

Sisodia will also present the Economic Survey in the Assembly, followed by the Outcome Budget.

The Budget Session itself is expected to be a fiery affair and with the ongoing sealing drive in the city, AAP spokesperson has said his party will bring up the matter in the session as well. 

This could possibly further add fuel to the political fire.

It is important to note that last year, the Delhi government had presented a Rs 48,000-crore tax-free budget for Delhi with a special focus on education, transport, health and water distribution. 

At the time, Sisodia had said that due to the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST), no new taxes were added. It would be interesting to see if the state government continues with the same line of thought in its fourth budget presentation.

(With Agency inputs)