The first Budget Session of Dr Mohan Yadav government commenced on Wednesday with Governor Mangubhai Patel’s address amid Opposition Congress’ walkout. The session was adjourned till Thursday. The Governor’s speech threw light on Shri Ram Temple consecration ceremony and State Government’s plan to facilitate medical and religious travel. He added that helicopter services would be started for pilgrims desiring to visit religious spots. He said that a helicopter facility between pilgrimage spots namely Ujjain, Chitrakoot, Orchha, Pitambara Peeth-Datia will be developed. Government will also start an air ambulance facility to reach out to people dwelling in remote areas. He said that all places in Madhya Pradesh where Lord Ram and Lord Krishna visited, would be developed as religious spots.

 

The Opposition MLAs waved copies of the BJP’s 2023 Assembly poll manifesto and raised slogans in the House. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar alleged that the ruling party did not make any mention in the Governor’s address about its poll promises of providing domestic gas cylinders at Rs 450, giving support price of Rs 3100 on paddy and Rs 2,700 on wheat besides other promises. Raising the issue of Petlawad blast incident, Congress law maker Vikrant Bhuria said “we are not here to listen to false promises and fake facts. Nothing has been done to the victims of Petlawad. It was said that jobs will be given to kin of those who killed in incident but nothing has been done so far.” The Governor could not complete his address and left the Assembly amidst the relentless din. Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said the unread part of the Governor’s address would be deemed as read. Subsequently, the Congress staged a walkout.

 

The session will continue till February 19. A total of nine sittings are proposed during the 13-day long session. A Vote on Account for the financial year 2024-25 will be introduced in this second session of the 16th Assembly. Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, who is also one of two Deputy CMs in Mohan Yadav’s Cabinet, will present the Interim Budget, while the complete annual budget will be presented during the Monsoon Session in July. For the budget session, MLAs have asked 2303 questions and 233 call attention motions. The Mohan Yadav-led BJP government is prepared to set its mark with several public interest bills to be presented during the session, the Opposition Congress is also set to corner the Government on various matters, including Harda fire crackers tragedy, farmers issues and the law and order situation in the State.