Himachal Pradesh Budget Session Scheduled for February 16
The budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha is officially set to commence on February 16, as announced in a government notification issued on Saturday. This decision follows a recent controversy involving a proposed special session that was ultimately declined by the state's Governor.
Governor Rejects Request for Special Session on Revenue Deficit Grant
Earlier this week, the state government had sought to convene a special one-day session specifically to discuss the Centre's decision to discontinue the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) to Himachal Pradesh under the 16th Finance Commission. However, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla declined this request, stating that a special session was unnecessary given the upcoming budget session scheduled for the near future.
In response, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu confirmed that the government has accepted the Governor's advice and will not proceed with the special session. He emphasized that the issue of the RDG discontinuation will be thoroughly addressed during the budget session, ensuring it remains a key topic of legislative discussion.
Details of the Upcoming Legislative Session
According to the notification from the Vidhan Sabha secretariat, the 11th session of the 14th Legislative Assembly will begin at 2 pm with the Governor's address. While the exact dates for the budget presentation and the total number of sittings are yet to be announced, this session marks a critical period for state governance and policy-making.
BJP MLAs Opt Out of All-Party Meeting
In a related development, BJP MLAs have decided not to attend an all-party meeting proposed by the government for Sunday, citing prior scheduled engagements. Rakesh Jamwal, a BJP representative, explained that many party legislators had already returned to their constituencies after a recent meeting. He clarified that this was not a boycott but a logistical issue, suggesting the government should set a separate date with advance notice for such gatherings.
Additionally, BJP MLA Vipin Parmar criticized the recent MLA Priority Meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhu, calling it a mere formality. He highlighted ongoing concerns, including:
- Delays in funds for roads, flow irrigation schemes, and drinking water projects.
- Pending Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) that have not been prepared for years.
- Discontinuation of two instalments of the MLA Local Area Development fund, intended for disaster relief or emergent works.
Parmar urged the government to increase allocations under the MLAs' priority kitty to ensure timely completion of essential local development works, pointing out that even approved funds have faced disbursement issues at the treasury level.
As Himachal Pradesh prepares for its budget session, these political and administrative dynamics are set to shape the legislative agenda, with key issues like the RDG and local development funding taking center stage in the discussions ahead.
