Budget to be presented on March 16

New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI): The Union Budget delayed because of elections in five states will now be presented on March 16, four days after Parliament will begin its Budget session. The budget session, which normally commences in the third week of February, will start on March 12 with President Pratibha Patil addressing the joint sitting of members of both the Houses of Parliament. While the Rail Budget will be presented on March 14, the Economic Survey outlining Government's assessment of the economy will be tabled on March 15. ”We will be recommending to the President that budget session may be summoned on March 12 and continue up to March 30. Address by the President would be on March 12. Rail budget on March 14 and Union Budget on March 16,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal told reporters. A decision on this was taken on Tuesday’s meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The second part of the budget session, after a three-week recess during which Parliamentary Standing Committees deliberate on proposals of different ministries, will be held from April 24 to May 22. The budget session has been delayed this time due to the ongoing Assembly elections in five states, including Uttar Pradesh. Election results will be announced on March 6.