The presentation of the Interim Budget drew strong opposition from the opposition members, who later staged a walkout.
The presentation of the Interim Budget drew strong opposition from the opposition members, who later staged a walkout.
Amid a walkout by the main opposition, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and the Congress in protest against the All India NR Congress-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Puducherry Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed a vote totaling ₹3,613 crore. Government’s decision not to present the full budget.
Continuing the practice of presenting Vote on Account by successive governments since 2011, Chief Minister N. Rangasamy presented an interim budget of ₹3,613 crore for the first five months of the next financial year.
With the passage of Vote on Account, the government will be able to meet its committed expenditure including disbursement of salaries, pension and assistance in implementation of ongoing programmes. The government will have to present the full budget by the end of August or before including the amount allocated for vote on account in the total budgetary outlay for 2022-23.
strong protest
The opposition strongly opposed the presentation of the interim budget by the Chief Minister. DMK and Congress members were on their feet as soon as the chief minister got up to give vote on account, placards carrying critical statements against the government.
Opposition members of the DMK and Congress held placards in the assembly, while Chief Minister N. Rangasamy was presenting the vote on account on Wednesday. , photo credit: SS Kumar
Leader of the Opposition R. Siva said that despite the Center setting aside a part of its financial assistance for Puducherry in the Union Budget for 2022-23, people are demanding an answer from the government for not presenting the full budget.
He said the dependence of successive governments on vote on accounts to meet expenditure requirements for the first few months of a financial year has cast a shadow over the development needs of the Union Territory. He said that every year three to four months are wasted without implementing any new scheme.
The Prime Minister, during the assembly election campaign, had predicted the all-round development of the Union Territory if a double engine government (the same party or coalition at the Center and Puducherry) comes to power, the opposition leader said, adding that now it seems That the two engines (AINRC and its ally BJP) are going in different directions.
After launching the protest, Mr. Shiva led the walkout of the DMK and Congress MLAs. Independent legislators- Nehru, alias Kuppusamy and Sivasankaran demanded extension of the session to discuss issues related to the welfare of the people and development of their constituencies. However, Speaker R Selvam adjourned the house. sine die After the Vote on Account was passed and the Supplementary Demands for Grants.