Mah budget session postponed by two days

Mumbai, Feb 13 (UNI) The budget session of Maharashtra Legislature, scheduled to commence here from March 12, has been postponed by two days.

The decision was taken at today's Cabinet meeting as the commencement of the budget session coincided with the crucial elections to 27 Zilla Parishads and 310 Gram Panchayats.

The elections are to be held on March 11, counting of votes will be held on March 12 and the list of elected candidates will be published on March 13.

Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil told mediapersons jocularly ''March 11, being the polling day and session eve, the opposition parties will not be able to attend the customary tea party hosted by the Chief Minister. So as to enable them to attend the tea party, we have decided to postpone the session.'' It may be recalled that the opposition has always boycotted the tea party with few exceptions like the first session after installation of the new government after assembly polls in 1999 and 2004 as well as the formation of the UPA government at the centre.

The budget session will now begin from March 14.

UNI