Kolkata: West Bengal government wants the budget session of the Assembly to commence on February 19 and the state budget for the next fiscal year to be placed in the House on February 27, a day ahead of presentation of the Union Budget.
"A suggestion was given in this regard in the state cabinet meeting by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here during the day. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Partha Chatterjee has been asked to initiate steps for the House to sit from February 19," state secretariat officials told PTI.
Asked why the state budget is going to be placed a day before the Union Budget to be presented on February 28, the officials said last year also the state budget was presented on February 17, ahead of the Central Budget.
Congress leader and MLA Manas Bhuniya said, "Why is the state government presenting the state budget before the Central Budget is being placed? I apprehend this might be a vote-on account and the state might witness Assembly election this year itself."
The assembly election in the state is due next year.
