Delhi budget session from Monday; Budget on March 24

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) The 19-day-long Budget session of the Delhi legislative assembly will commence on March 17.

The budget for the fiscal 2008-09 will be presented on March 24, assembly speaker Ch Prem Singh said here.

Talking to reporters, Mr Singh said Lt Governor Tejendra Khanna will address the House on March 17 and the debate on the motion of thanks to the LG's address will begin on March 18.

A total of 14 sittings will be held and the House will be adjourned sine die on April 4.

Delhi Finance minister A K Walia will present the Budget for 2008-09 on March 24 and it is likely to be passed by the house on March 27 after discussion.

''Till now, no information for any new Government Bill have been received by the assembly secretariat. However, two pending Government Bills -- the IIIT Delhi Bill 2007 and The Delhi Prevention of Defacement of Property Bill, 2007 -- will be listed for passage during the Budget session,'' the Speaker said, adding that seven reports of various committees will also be presented before the house.

The House will also take up short duration discussions on at least five issues during the Budget Session. These include the problem of sealing, water crisis, privatisation of electricity, unauthorised colonies and law and order, the Speaker informed.

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