Union Budget to be presented after March 5

The Budget Session of Parliament is likely to commence late because of Assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh, and could now start after March 5.

The session generally begins around February 20 with the customary address of the President to the Joint Sitting of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

This time, it might start between March 5 and 12 in view of polls, government sources said, citing that counting of votes is scheduled for March 4.

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Likewise, the presentation of the Union Budget will be delayed. Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee has already said the final date of presentation is yet to be decided.

Meanwhile, the Winter Session of Parliament, which adjourned sine die on December 29, will soon be prorogued.

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A meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs headed by Mukherjee on Tuesday decided to recommend to the President to prorogue the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal was present at the meeting as also Union Ministers Farooq Abdullah and Vayalar Ravi.