The final session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly under the third government led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be held on Thursday. The state’s vote-on-account or the pre-election interim budget will be presented, drawing significant public attention and expectations.
Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya is scheduled to present the budget at 2:30 pm. Before that, Governor C.V. Ananda Bose will deliver his address. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to be present in the Assembly during both the Governor’s speech and the budget presentation.
Although it is a vote-on-account budget ahead of the Assembly elections, there is speculation about several announcements aimed at the public. From Lakshmir Bhandar benefits to possible relief measures for state government employees, the budget is expected to include multiple welfare-focused initiatives.
Major announcements may also cover housing schemes, agriculture, education, healthcare, rural development and other social projects. The budget, likely to be the last of the third Trinamool Congress government before elections, is expected to focus on public welfare and development.
Sources indicate that allocations for social security, women and child development, employment generation, and support for micro, small and medium enterprises may also be increased. Despite being an interim budget, anticipation among the public remains high, with strong political interest as well.
According to Assembly sources, a Cabinet meeting will be held in the Chief Minister’s chamber at 1:30 pm before the budget presentation, where the vote-on-account budget will be cleared. This will be followed by a meeting of the industry-related high-power committee of the Cabinet. Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, the state’s first woman finance minister, will then present the budget.
The Chief Minister is expected to attend the Assembly over the next three days for discussions on the vote-on-account budget and other issues. Meanwhile, the Opposition BJP is preparing to raise protests over recent incidents including the Anandapur fire and a bombing at Golpark. The ruling Trinamool Congress has also issued instructions to all its 217 MLAs to remain present in the House throughout the session.
On Friday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay will move a proposal under Rule 169 regarding alleged public harassment related to SIR. The Chief Minister may participate in the discussion. This will be followed by a two-hour debate on the Governor’s address. Further discussions on a state government bill and the vote-on-account budget are scheduled in the following days, with the Chief Minister likely to take part.
