Uncertainty on getting approval from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to present a full budget has forced the government to adjourn the house sine die on Tuesday two days after the Assembly reconvened.
Deputy Speaker V. P Sivakolundhu, who was in the chair, adjourned the house sine die around 1. 45 p.m immediately after government whip R.K.R Anantharaman wound up the discussion on Motion of thanks to the Lt Governor’s address.
The issue of presenting a full budget became a topic of debate a few minutes after the day’s proceedings started. Leader of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam A. Anbalagan sought a clarification from the government on the status of full budget.
He said the government should clarify whether the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had given approval for the budget.
Giving a detailed response, Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy said unlike in States, the Union Territory had to get the approval of MHA for presenting the budget.
The State Planning Board, under the Chairmanship of Lt Governor, had met one and a half months ago and fixed the plan outlay for the current financial year. Fifteen days later, the outlay was sent to MHA for its approval.
The MHA, inturn, had sent the file to the Union Finance Ministry for its approval. Meanwhile, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was hospitalised and a few days later Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal was given additional charge of Finance, the Chief Minister said.
Mr. Narayanasamy said he spoke to Mr. Goyal over phone seeking his immediate attention on giving clearance for the budget. After the telephonic conversation, the Finance Ministry returned the file to the MHA.
Just two days ago (when the house reconvened on Monday), the government received a communication from MHA seeking a clarification on grant-in aid from the Union Government. In the outlay fixed by the State Planning Board, it had projected a sum of ₹ 360 crore as grant-in aid. The MHA wanted a clarification on how the government arrived at the figure, he said.
The Chief Minister said in the past too, grant-in aid for Centrally-sponsored schemes, were based on allocations in the previous financial year. “We also made the projection based on the previous financial years,” he said.
Mr. Narayanasamy said he would be going to Delhi on Wednesday and would take up the issue personally. The government was confident of presenting a full budget very soon, he said.
Mr Anbalagan blamed the Chief Secretary and Finance Secretary for the 15-day delay in sending the file to the MHA for its approval. “The file was pending at Raj Nivas. The officials are trying to bring disrepute to your government,” he said looking at treasury bench.
Social Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy who was on his feet requested Speaker V. Vaithilingam to give a ruling to the Lt Governor to expedite the approval.
“Ms Bedi is in Delhi. You ask her to get the approval,” he said. However, the Speaker did not heed to the request.
The Chief Minister said his government would not surrender its rights to any force.