Budget session of Pondy Assembly likely on May 24

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, MAY 12. The budget session of the Territorial Assembly is likely to begin on May 24 with the customary address by the Lt. Governor of the Union Territory.

A cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Mr. P. Shanmugham, was understood to have taken the decision and the same day election of the Speaker of the Assembly and presentation of budget by the Chief Minister would take place. The post of Speaker has become vacant following resignation by Mr. V. M. C. Sivakumar as soon as political developments culminating in the ushering in of Congress (I) and TMC coalition ministry in March last.

Mr.Shanmugham, the new Chief Minister, had already succeeded in seeking vote of confidence when the Assembly met last month for a day. The House was adjourned sine die then. The House also granted funds for six months from April to September for the administration.

The presentation of budget has been scheduled now and the Chief Minister had, in the meanwhile, obtained a plan outlay of Rs. 312 crores from the Planning Commission before finalising the budget session. All sections of merchants, trading centres and also industrialists are expecting to know what stand the new Ministry would take in uniform floor rate of tax. The budget is likely to clear the cloud.

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Section  : Regional
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