Budget session for 9 days till Sept 22

Hyderabad: The budget session of the Assembly will be held for 9 working days up to September 22. The Assembly will take a four-day break from Tuesday (September 10 to 13) due to Ganesh Nimmajan and Moharram.

The Business Advisory Committee which met here after the presentation of the Budget decided that it would hold the session on Saturdays and Sundays to complete the business within the stipulated time of nine working days.

The Congress demanded that the session be held for 21 days since there were several issues that need to be discussed which includes the rising cases of dengue and malaria and detection of swine flu cases.

However, the BAC decided that general discussion on the budget would be held on September 14 and 15 and the reply would be given by the Chief Minister on the same day.

Discussions on demands of Housing, Social Welfare, Tribal Welfare, Backward Classes, Minority Welfare and Women and Child Welfare would be taken up on September 16.

The demands of Municipal Administration, Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, Roads and Buildings, Major and Medium Irrigation and Energy would be held on September 17. The Congress had proposed for the establishment of a Constitutional Club in Hyderabad on lines of Delhi.

Congress leader Bhatti Vikramarka said the proposal was accepted by then CM Kiran Kumar Reddy in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Reacting to this the Chief Minister said that a committee would be formed and it could be established at New MLA Quarters.

Vikramarka pointed out the lapses in following the protocol in rural areas. He said that as per the protocol the MLA comes before the Chief Secretary.

However, in districts the Collectors are occupying the dais whereas the MLAs were seated in the audience. The Chief Minister said a committee would be formed to look into this issue as well.