CHANDIGARH: The Congress government is planning to unveil its budget for Punjab for 2021-22 on March 8.
At the cabinet meeting, chaired by chief minister Amarinder Singh, on Friday, the proposal for summoning of the 14th session (Budget Session) of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha from March 1 to 10 was approved.
The budget for 2021-22 assumes significance as it would come almost a year before the state goes to polls next year as it would be closely watched if the ruling party decides to include populist measures. Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal had promised fiscal consolidation in his first budget of the present term in 2017.
The council of ministers has also recommended the dates of the session to governor VP Singh Badnore, who is authorized to officially summon the state legislature as per Article 174(1) of the Constitution of India.
An official spokesperson said after the cabinet meeting that the chief minister has been authorized to approve the governor’s address for the 14th Session of the 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
Besides the state budget estimates for the next fiscal, the session will see the presentation of the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 2018-19 (civil, commercial) and financial accounts of Government of Punjab for the year 2019-20, as well as Appropriation Accounts for the year 2019-20.
Supplementary demands for grants for the year 2020-21 and Appropriation Bill on supplementary demands for grants for the year 2020-21 will also be laid on the table of the House.