Polls spoil budget plans; will now be presented on Mar 16

New Delhi, Jan 17: After the crucial dates for the Assembly Elections were announced by the Election Commission, another set of important dates have come out. The budget session of Parliament is expected to begin on Mar 12, 2012.

In the event of the budget session beginning on Mar 12, the Railway budget will be presented on Mar 14. Sources claimed that the Economic Survey would be tabled on the next day followed by the Union Budget on Mar 16.

The Union Budget for the year 2012-2013 was slated to be tabled in Parliament on Mar 14. But sources said that the same would now be presented on Mar 16.

The slight delay in the budget being presented is because of the Uttarakhand polls.

On the occasion of the budget session beginning on Mar 12, the customary President’s address, the vote of thanks and the Railways Budget would be on Mar 14.

As per the Election Commission's code of conduct, the government is not allowed to make policy announcements during elections. The Assembly elections in 5 states are scheduled to be held in two weeks. The complete exercise from voting, to counting and the announcement of results later will be completed by Mar 9, 2012.

Usually, the Union Budget is presented on the last day of February each year. This time around, the same will be postponed due to the elections.

OneIndia News