The four-week-long Budget session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly is commencing today. Session is likely to be dominated by issues like reversal of decisions of the previous government, financial crisis, reportedly vindictive transfers of employees, shifting of offices and alleged illegal phone tapping which has already generated much heat outside the House.
Veteran Congress leader and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh will present the Budget on March 14 for the record 16th time. He presented his first Budget in 1984 and the 15th in 2007.
The election of the Deputy Speaker will be conducted during this session. Opposition BJP has strength of 26 legislators in the 68-member House, whereas Congress has 36 members, including one in judicial custody. Ruling party has strengthened its position by getting the support of Independents Balbir Singh Verma, Kirnesh Jung and Pawan Kajal and lone Himachal Lokhit Party member Maheshwar Singh.
The Budget will be passed on March 29 and the session will conclude on April 9.
