Synopsis
The Himachal Pradesh Assembly's Budget session starts, with CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu promising a plan for infrastructure and education enhancements. An all-party meeting discussed extending the session by three days, and 963 questions have been submitted by legislators. The Budget will be presented on March 17 and passed on March 26.Key Takeaways
- CM Sukhu to unveil plans for infrastructure and education.
- Budget 2025-26 presentation set for March 17.
- Session may be extended by three days.
- 963 questions filed by legislators for discussion.
- Education improvements highlighted by CM Sukhu.
Shimla, March 9 (NationPress) An all-party meeting convened on Sunday, just before the commencement of the Budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu assured attendees that a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing the infrastructure and education sectors of the hill state would be revealed.
The Budget 2025-26 is set to be presented on March 17 by CM Sukhu, marking his third consecutive budget presentation. According to the schedule released by the Assembly secretariat, the Budget is expected to be approved on March 26 after two days of deliberations.
During a press conference prior to the session, Speaker Kuldeep Pathania remarked that the smooth conduct of the 16-day session would require cooperation from both ruling and opposition legislators.
The all-party meeting, called by the Speaker, resolved to consider extending the session by three days, with a final decision anticipated on Monday. This meeting included Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chouhan and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, among others.
Legislators have submitted a total of 963 questions for this session, which is likely to conclude on March 28, unless an extension is granted due to popular demand.
Just hours before the session on Monday, CM Sukhu is expected to lead a Congress legislature party meeting to strategize for the floor discussions. Meanwhile, BJP legislators gathered at a private venue in Shimla on Sunday under the guidance of Jai Ram Thakur.
CM Sukhu's keen attention to the education sector stems from his frequent critiques of the previous BJP administration for failing to address students’ needs.
He has also emphasized his administration’s initiatives, which led the Annual Status of Education Report to identify the reading levels of Himachal's children as the highest in the nation.
Earlier this week, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh expressed the state's request for the Centre to provide dedicated financial support for urban infrastructure and digital governance projects.
In framing the opposition BJP's approach for the session, state unit chief Rajeev Bindal criticized the Sukhu administration for utilizing funds from temple trusts, acquired by the state in previous years, for budgetary initiatives.
He stated that the intention behind this acquisition is clear: offerings from temples should be allocated for the development of temples, maintenance, facilities for pilgrims, and the enhancement of pilgrimage sites.
