The budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly will begin here tomorrow with the customary inaugural address by Governor Phagu Chauhan.
The Assembly secretariat has prepared a translator to interpret the speech of the Governor from Hindi to English.
This followed the threat by the Voice of the People Party (VPP) to boycott the opening day of the budget session if the Governor’s speech was not translated into English.
The VPP is also expected to take up the issue of three Lokayukta officials who were sacked by the state government unceremoniously by WhatsApp.
The three were the Lokayukta’s Director of Inquiry and Prosecution Jainal Rymmai and two enquiry officers – Anil K Sangma and Rymphang Pde.
It was this trio who had unearthed an alleged scam worth crores of rupees that purportedly involved NPP MLA, Sanjay Sangma, who is also the brother-in-law of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
Meanwhile, this will be the shortest budget session in the history of the State with only eight working days.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma will present the budget estimates for the 2024-25 financial year during the budget session of the Assembly in a paperless manner.
MLAs will be able to access the speech through the tablets provided in the House.
As per the calendar, the House will debate on the address of the Governor on February 19.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma will reply to the debate on February 21. On the same day, Sangma will present the budget for 2024-25.
The House will debate on the budget on February 23 and 27. In the afternoon of the same day the chief minister will give his reply and the budget will be passed.
While five days have been allotted for government business, only three days are listed for private members’ business. These are on February 20, 22 and 26.
Only in these three days, the MLAs especially those from the opposition can raise the issues of public importance through bills, motions and resolutions.
