Present Union Budget after Assembly polls: Akhilesh to PM
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to present the Union Budget 2017-2018 after the Assembly elections in five states. In a letter to Modi, the Samajwadi Party chief has asked the government to present the Budget after March 8, fearing that if it is not done, poll-bound states might miss out on central schemes.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure the Union Budget for 2017-18 is presented after the Assembly elections in five states.In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Samajwadi Party chief has asked the government to present the Budget after March 8, fearing that if it is not done, poll-bound states including Uttar Pradesh might be left out.The Supreme Court had earlier this week ruled that the Centre needn't postpone the Union Budget from February 1. This ruling came as a response to some parties demanding to move the Budget after Assembly elections, alleging that the BJP may have an unfair advantage over others if sops for the poll-bound states are announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley.The Election Commission has ordered that the Budget cannot include any announcements that would influence the votes in five states - Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Manipur and Uttarakhand.The poll panel has ordered that the Budget cannot include any announcements that would could influence voters in the five states that begin voting just days after February 1.While Punjab and Goa will vote on February 4, the crucial seven-phase Uttar Pradesh election will begin on February 11.