Bengal Budget session likely to be stormy affair

The Budget session of the state Assembly is likely to be stormy with the state government presenting a Bill that proposes stern action against those causing damage to government and private properties and the Opposition highlighting forcible occupation of farmers' land to set up various projects.

The Opposition members on Tuesday boycotted the All Party Meeting hinting at trouble with the ruling party on the floor of the House. Governor KN Tripathi will address the legislators on February 3.

It will be followed by discussion on his speech.

The Opposition parties are likely to create trouble at the opening session as they allege that it will highlight "only the good work of the government without giving the real picture."

The state government will introduce a Bill proposing stringent action against those who will cause damage to government and private properties.

It proposes six months to seven years imprisonment to the offenders and imposing fine as per market rate after assessing the extent of damage.

Abdul Mannan said the law and order had collapsed in the state and the government had no right to remain in power. It may be mentioned that Congress and CPI(M) leaders are inciting people against the state government demanding return of their land. Interestingly, the land in all the places where agitation is going on was acquired by the erstwhile Left Front government. The Bill will be tabled on February 8.

State Finance minister Amit Mitra will place the budget for 2017-18 on February 10.

Partha Chatterjee, minister for Parliamentary Affairs said it was most unfortunate that Opposition MLAs did not attend the All Party Meeting as well as the BA committee meeting. "They may have differences with us but for development, participation of everyone is required. I hope goodness will prevail and they will attend the next meeting of the BA committee scheduled to be held on February 9."

Refuting the allegation made by Abdul Mannan, Leader of the Opposition that they had not been given proper time to raise issues in the Assembly he said: "The allegation is absolutely baseless and the Opposition MLAs are given proper time to express their views."