Intro: The move aims to align the session with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s court appearance.
Kolkata
The schedule of the ongoing Budget Session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly is likely to be revised to accommodate Mamata Banerjee’s planned visit to New Delhi on February 9, when she is scheduled to participate in a crucial hearing related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the state.
The hearing will be conducted by a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court of India on that day. February 9 was initially slated to be the final day of the Budget Session. However, sources within the ruling party indicated that there is now a preliminary decision to conclude the session earlier, on February 7, which falls on a Saturday.
Typically, Assembly sessions are not held on Saturdays, except under exceptional circumstances. A member of the Trinamool Congress legislative team said that the importance of the Chief Minister’s presence during the apex court hearing warranted such an adjustment. Since this is a rare and significant occasion, considering the Chief Minister’s participation in the Supreme Court hearing, the last day of the Budget Session might be February 7, the member said.
Notably, Chief Minister Banerjee has been closely involved in the legal proceedings concerning the SIR. She was present in the Supreme Court and personally argued the matter, underscoring the political and administrative significance the state government attaches to the case.
Meanwhile, the financial business of the House is continuing as scheduled. The Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State for Finance (independent charge), is set to present the interim, or vote-on-account, budget in the Assembly at 2.30 p.m. on Thursday. The interim budget will outline the government’s expenditure plans until a full budget is presented later.
During the Budget Session, the Treasury Bench is also expected to move two special motions. The first motion will condemn the ongoing Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal, which the state government has strongly opposed.