The Budget session of the Uttar Pradesh legislature which begins on February 2, is poised to set the tone and tenor of the Lok Sabha elections, with opposition parties highlighting government failures and the treasury benches talking about the achievements.
The Budget session is also important because through the annual budget, which is to be presented on February 5, the UP government is gearing up to allocate resources for education, health, development, youth, women and farmers in the forthcoming budget.
Governor Anandiben Patel is scheduled to address the joint sitting of both houses of the UP legislature on the first day of the session on February 2.
The Business Advisory Committee that met early in the morning on Thursday has decided the details of the proceedings according to which the budget will be presented on February 5 and the budget will be put to vote on February 12.
Interestingly, the House will hold meetings on Saturdays too.
An all-party meeting was also held in which Uttar Pradesh Assembly Speaker Satish Mahana appealed for cooperation from all political parties to ensure seamless functioning of the upcoming assembly session.
Speaking at the all-party meeting held at Vidhan Bhawan, Mahana emphasised the indispensable role of collective effort in the effective functioning of the House.
Mahana stressed that addressing public concerns necessitates reasoned, and fact-based and high-quality dialogue within a conducive environment.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is also leader of the House, lauded the assembly’s track record, noting its exemplary parliamentary practices that have bolstered democratic principles nationwide.
He credited the collaborative efforts of party leaders for fostering a culture of constructive discourse within the House.
“Under the leadership of the legislative assembly speaker, a series of modernisation has been initiated, including digitisation, gallery beautification and hall renovation, setting a benchmark for legislative bodies across the nation,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister said that these endeavours had garnered recognition, attracting visits from speakers of various state assemblies and ministers of parliamentary affairs.
Yogi Adityanath pledged the full support of the ruling party to ensure the smooth conduct of proceedings, emphasising the importance of upholding the dignity and decorum of the House to reinforce public trust in democracy.
Furthermore, discussions during the meeting touched upon the consecration of Ram Lalla on January 22, with plans underway, under the speaker’s guidance, to facilitate public representatives’ pilgrimage to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya.
The chief minister also unveiled a commemorative postage stamp series related to Lord Shri Ram, released by the Government of India, which will be made accessible to all MLAs.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna stressed on cooperation for the efficient functioning of the House, a sentiment echoed by representatives from various political parties present in the meeting, including the Samajwadi Party, Apna Dal (Sonelal), Rashtriya Lok Dal, Bharatiya Samaj Party, Nirbal Indian Shoshit Hamara Aam Dal NISHAD Party, Congress, Jansatta Dal Loktantrik and Bahujan Samaj Party.