Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly Budget Session Resumes After Recess
The second phase of the Himachal Pradesh legislative assembly's budget session is set to resume on Wednesday, following a month-long recess. This crucial parliamentary segment will feature a total of 13 sittings, extending through April 2, with significant legislative and financial business on the agenda.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to Present Fourth Budget
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present the state budget for the financial year 2026-27 on March 21 at 11 am. This marks the fourth budget of his government, coming after the first phase of the budget session, which was held from February 16 to 18 and consisted of three sittings.
The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is prepared to vigorously challenge the state government during this session. BJP legislators are expected to corner the government over what they claim is the non-fulfilment of promises made in the previous three budgets, demanding strict accountability for unkept commitments and policy failures.
Detailed Schedule for Budget Discussions and Voting
Himachal assembly speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania provided a comprehensive timeline for the session's proceedings. Discussions on the governor's address will take place from March 18 to 20, with the chief minister's reply scheduled for March 20.
General discussions on the budget will be conducted from March 23 to 25. This will be followed by detailed deliberations and voting on demands for grants on March 27, 28, and 30. The Appropriation Bill will be introduced and passed on March 30, as confirmed by Pathania.
March 31 has been earmarked for private members' business, allowing legislators to raise issues of personal and constituency importance. Government and legislative work will continue on April 1 and 2, ensuring all pending matters are addressed before the session concludes.
Substantial Legislative Activity with Hundreds of Questions
The legislative assembly secretariat has received a total of 834 questions from legislators, indicating a high level of engagement and scrutiny. This includes 665 starred questions, which require oral answers, and 169 unstarred questions, which receive written replies. Additionally, 125 questions have been carried over from the first phase of the session.
MLAs have also submitted multiple notices under various rules of procedure. Specifically, eight notices were filed under Rule 62, three under Rule 101, and five under Rule 130 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Legislative Assembly. All these notices have been forwarded to the government for necessary action and responses.
Key Issues and Committee Meetings Highlighted
Legislators have raised a wide range of key issues that are expected to dominate discussions. These include welfare schemes such as the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi, education reforms, infrastructure development, tourism promotion, healthcare upgrades, water supply improvements, and growing concerns over rising drug abuse and crime rates in the state.
Meanwhile, meetings of the petitions and privileges committees were held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania. The petitions committee received 108 representations related to various government departments. Out of these, 60 cases have already been resolved, while replies are still awaited in 31 cases from different departments. Responses regarding 12 representations were received and will be presented before the committee in its next meeting, ensuring ongoing oversight and resolution of public grievances.
