The Budget session of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly will commence on March 13 with the customary address by the Governor amidst several matters of public concern, including the severe power crisis impacting the State.

The session will see State Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan deliver his address to the joint session on Wednesday. The Business Advisory Committee of the House will later meet and finalise the agenda for the session.

There are indications that the State Budget will be presented on March 18 by Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy.

Due to ongoing examinations for school and college students, for the first time in several sessions, the agitation for Telangana statehood seems to have taken a back seat. Most of the sessions held in the past were stalled seeking resolution on separate State and the listed agenda could not be pursued in the House.

In the backdrop of sever power crisis in the State, a detailed discussion is likely to be taken up on the power crisis and the way forward. Various sections of consumers — domestic, farm sector and industries in particular are facing hardship due to power shortage. This is expected to further widen during summer.

State Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy today directed senior officers to gear up for the session and help provide necessary information to enrich the debate with back-up data.

During the sessions, the standing committees on SC, ST Sub Plan Act, special budget for agriculture and allied sectors will be presented. The standing committees will make recommendations on the budget.

The District Collectors were directed to send information on issues that are taken up in the House during the session.

The Budget for 2013-14 is unlikely to add to the schemes as the accent will be on having continuity to existing schemes, but the allocations could be hiked.

This is likely to be the last budget before elections to the Lok Sabha and Assembly in the State next year.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

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