AP, First State To Host Assembly Amidst Covid-19

The Covid-19 has brought everything to a standstill in the country. Even the Parliament sessions were adjourned indefinitely while the states have postponed their Assembly sessions. Generally during March-April months, many states introduce their budgets but this did not happen this year. Andhra Pradesh government too did not produce the budget it was supposed to.

As the financial year begins from April 1st, the YSRCP government brought a Vote-On-Account budget in the form of an ordinance under the circumstances. This Vote-On-Account budget is only valid for three months and accordingly the government has spent their expenses in these ninety days. Not that the three months time period is coming to an end and with constitution in place, the government has left with no other option rather to introduce budget for the next nine-months.

Accordingly the YSRCP government has decided to host the Assembly sessions amidst the Covid-19 tensions. By doing so the AP has emerged as the first state in the country to hold Assembly sessions after the lockdown relaxations.

Initially the AP government planned to hold the sessions for just three days but chief whip added that a decision on the duration will be called on at the BAC meeting. Also with Rajya Sabha elections are scheduled on June 19th, the Assembly sessions are planned accordingly.

Earlier Madhya Pradesh was the last state to host Assembly just days before the lockdown was imposed in March third week.