Hopeful of forming its own Government at the Centre after the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, the Congress-led Punjab Government may present the vote-on-account during its 10-day Budget Session starting February 12.
The State Cabinet, in its meeting on Tuesday, decided to convene the Budget Session from February 12 to 21, and present its Budget for 2019-20 on February 18.
However, the Government may not come up with its full Budget and instead present a vote-on-account for three-four months, and held another Assembly session to pass its Budget, after the elections, in the month of July.
The Government did not want to hold a long Assembly session, in the wake of approaching elections, when all the party leaders wanted to be out in the field wooing the electorates. But, it has been opined that holding a short session may go against the Government, and Vidhan Sabha could provide a suitable platform for the Government to project its work.
With the Cabinet decision, the Punjab Governor has been authorized to convene the seventh session of 15th Punjab Vidhan Sabha, as per clause (1) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India.
The Budget session will commence with the Governor’s Address at 11 am on February 12, followed by obituary references at 2 pm on the same day. The non-official business would be transacted on February 13 at 10 am. The motion of thanks on Governor's address will be moved on February 15 at 10 am, to be followed by discussions on the same, which will continue through the day.
The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India for the year 2017-18 (Civil, Commercial), financial accounts of Government of Punjab for the year 2017-18, and Appropriation Accounts for the year 2017-18 would be laid on the table of the House on February 18 at 2 p.m.
Supplementary demands for grants for the year 2018-19, Appropriation Bill on supplementary demands for grants for the year 2018-19, and Budget estimates for the year 2019-20 would be presented before the House on February 18.
General discussion on the Budget estimates would resume at 2 pm on February 20.