The Hindu Business Line : Budget may be passed in March itself

With the Election Commission's schedule for Assembly polls available now, there is a possibility that the general Budget 2006-07 may be passed before the end of March. Normally, the Budget is passed in end-April or May when Parliament reconvenes after a recess.

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi, is learnt to have discussed the issue of early passage of the Budget with the Leader of the Opposition, Mr L.K. Advani, who reportedly has no objections to the proposal.

As of now, Parliament is set to go into recess on March 17 and reconvene on April 3 and continue till April 28. However, the Election Commission schedule has the bulk of the polling dates in April, which has led the Government to work out an alternative Parliamentary schedule.

The proposal now is to extend Parliament till March 22, have a quick discussion and approve the demands for grants of the various Ministries and then take up the Finance Bill for passage.

The Congress party is keen on the new plan, the BJP not disinclined and the Left parties are expected to agree since they face elections in West Bengal and Kerala and would need time to campaign. Mr Dasmunshi has convened a meeting of party leaders on Friday and a final decision is expected there.