Punjab cabinet nod to present budget estimates in assembly, session to begin on March 3

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab cabinet led by chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday gave its nod to presenting budget estimates of the state for 2023-24 financial year during the state assembly's budget session, scheduled to begin from March 3. Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema will present the budget on March 10 and the session will go on till March 24.
An official said in pursuance of provisions contained in Article 202 and Clause (1) of Article 204 of the Constitution, the annual financial statement (budget estimates) of the state were required to be presented in the assembly on the governor's recommendation.
Likewise, in pursuance of provisions contained in Clause(3) of Article 203 of the Constitution, the state cabinet also approved to present supplementary demands for grants of the Government of Punjab for 2022-23, on the floor of the vidhan sabha after recommendation of the governor.
Excess expenses
The Bhagwant Mann cabinet also approved to present the case of regularisation of excess expenditure incurred from financial year 2015-16 to financial year 2018-19 in the ensuing budget session.
As per the Constitution, if any money has been spent on a service during a financial year in excess of the amount granted for that service then for that year, demand for such excess amount has to be presented before the state legislature and is to be dealt with in the same way as if it were demand for a grant.
Demand for an excess grant is presented before the House to regularise expenditure incurred in excess of the grant made in a past financial year.