Before finalising Budget proposals, CM to meet MLAs

Rajmeet Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 15

In the run-up to the Budget session scheduled next month, Congress MLAs are being taken on board before finalising the budgetary proposals for development works in their segments.

For four days, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh will listen to the issues of MLAs in batches beginning on January 16. The Cabinet Ministers will also be present in the meetings.

Barring Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) chief Sunil Jakhar, other MPs will not be part of the pre-Budget meetings, it has been learnt.

A government functionary said the idea behind meeting the MLAs was to take feedback about the implementation of several schemes.

Legislators from Majha have been called on January 16. The next day is reserved for MLAs from Doaba. And the last two days have been kept for Malwa MLAs.

The pre-Budget meetings will discuss several poll promises implemented by the Congress government in the past 21 months and ascertain the expectations of MLAs as the Lok Sabha elections are round the corner.

During a similar exercise last year, Rajya Sabha members Partap Singh Bajwa and Shamsher Singh Dullo had sought funds under welfare schemes for Schduled Castes, Backward Classes and other communities, and five-marla plots for the homeless.