Jaipur, February 26 – The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly will conclude discussions on grant demands on Thursday, with a full-day debate scheduled on allocations for the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments after Question Hour and Zero Hour.
Following Question Hour and Zero Hour, the House will hold a day-long discussion on the grant demands concerning the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments. During the debate, the Opposition Congress is likely to question the government over the delay in holding elections for Panchayati Raj institutions and the alleged politically driven ward reorganization during the delimitation exercise.
The state budget is scheduled for passage in the Assembly on Friday, when the House will also take up the Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is scheduled to reply to the debate on the Appropriation Bill at 5 p.m.
He is expected to announce a series of measures, including fresh recruitment drives. Sources said the announcements may address demands at the district level, along with issues raised by legislators during the session. Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully will speak before the Chief Minister’s reply.
A meeting of the Business Advisory Committee, chaired by the Speaker, will be held later on Thursday to decide the legislative agenda beyond Friday in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. The committee is expected to finalize the timetable for the Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill, the Municipalities Amendment Bill, and the Disturbed Area Bill, which are likely to be taken up after the Holi festival.
Earlier in the day, Congress MLAs marched from their official residences to the Assembly, accusing the government of compromising national interests in the proposed trade agreement with the United States.
Raising slogans on the Assembly steps, the MLAs alleged that India's concerns had been overlooked during the negotiations.
Leader of the Opposition Tika Ram Jully said the proposed trade agreement would harm domestic farmers. “Under US pressure, agricultural and dairy products will be imported into India, which will adversely affect our farmers,” he alleged.
Besides the trade pact, they will also press the government over the delay in holding Panchayat elections, the Congress leaders said.
Thursday is the final day of discussion on grant demands in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly. Following Question Hour and Zero Hour, the House will hold a day-long debate on allocations for the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments.