Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will be tabling the budget proposals for the financial year 2021-22 on March 1, 2021 at 12.30pm. This will be the third budget for the Chief Minister who also holds the finance portfolio. Addressing mediapersons during his customary pre-Budget Session press conference Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly Speaker Dr Charan Das Mahant said the Budget Session will be held in compliance of the COVID-19 protocols and general public will not be allowed during the Session. He further informed that the Legislators will be allowed inside the House after ensuring complete compliance of COVID-19 protocols.

 

Dr Mahant informed that as per the Notification issued for the commencement of Tenth Session (Budget Session) of the Fifth Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly, the Budget Session will commence from February 22, 2021, with the address of Governor Anusuiya Uikey followed by tabling of Thanksgiving Proposal on the Governor’s Address in the House. The Budget Session, comprising a total of twenty-four sittings, will continue till March 26, 2021. During the Budget Session, both financial affairs and government affairs will be undertaken. There will be no business on February 27 and 28, March 6, 7, 11, 13, 14, 20 and 21 owing to Shivaratri and weekend holidays. The Speaker said that on the first day after the Governor’s address, the House will be adjourned.

 

On Tuesday, February 22, the House will commence with the mentioning of deaths of Late Om Prakash Rathia, Late Dr Bhanupratap Gupta, Late Lakshman Ram and Late Roshanlal Agrawal, all former Legislators in Chhattisgarh and erstwhile Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly. On February 23, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel will be tabling budget demand proposals for the Third Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2020-21, followed by discussions on demand proposals and its subsequent passing on February 24. On February 25 and 26, discussions will be held on the Thanksgiving Proposal on Governor’s Address. On March 1, 2021, the Chief Minister will be tabling the budget demand proposals for the financial year 2021-22. This will be followed by general discussions on budget proposals on March 2 and 3, 2021. From March 4, 2021 to March 23, 2021, discussions on departmental budget demand proposals will be held followed by discussions on Appropriation Bill 2021 on March 24, 2021.

 

Speaker Dr Mahant further informed that for the budget session, total 2350 questions were received from the Legislators, which include 1262 Starred Questions and 1088 un-Starred questions. Last date for submission of questions is March 2, 2021. By then more questions might add up, he said. The Speaker also informed that 24 notices for Adjournment Motion, 117 notices for Call Attention Motion and notice under Rule 139 wherein subjects of immediate public importance are taken. Nine notices for Government Resolutions and 18 notices for Zero Hour have also been received. Answering a query on in case opposition moves No Confidence Motion notice against the government, the Speaker said traditionally No Confidence Motion notices are not accepted during Budget Session. “We can’t stop anyone from legally moving any notice, let the move come, it would be examined as per legal provisions for its acceptability or unacceptability”, he said.