MP’s death is not an impediment: Precedent favours presentation of Budget

Why death of MP E Ahamed should not be an impediment in the presentation of Union Budget 2017 on Wednesday

New Delhi, Feb 1: It seems once again India is divided over whether the Union Budget 2017--scheduled on Wednesday--should be presented or not.

If conventions are to be followed, Parliament should be adjourned for a day in the wake of the death of former union minister and sitting parliamentarian E Ahamed on Wednesday.

In case of the adjournment of Parliament, the budget is unlikely to be presented on Wednesday.

However, since tabulation of the budget is such an important annual economic ritual, delaying the entire affair does not augur well for the Indian economy.

According to government sources, there is a precedent, in the past also a sitting parliamentarian had died during the budget season. However, the then government went ahead and presented the budget.

"In 1954 MP Paul Jujhar and in 1974 MB Rana, ministry of state (industry) had passed away, but the then Union Governments in both the occasions presented the budget," added government sources.

Earlier, Santosh Gangwar, ministry of state, finance, told ANI, "Due to the unfortunate passing away of a sitting Member of Parliament, E Ahamed, Speaker will decide if house will be adjourned or not."

"Normally house is adjourned on death of a sitting MP, so chances are budget can be postponed for a day, but Speaker will decide," added Gangwar.

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