OPS to present State budget on February 11

The session has been advanced taking into account the upcoming Parliament elections which would lead to the model code of conduct and also result in central funds being blocked, sources in the Secretariat said on Wednesday.

The budget session will commence on February 11 and will be presented by Panneerselvam. Following the budget, the session would be conducted for close to 10 days with days off in-between.Sources added that after a break on Tuesday and Wednesday, the session will be held on Thursday and Friday.

After the weekend, the session will resume on February 18 and Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami will be felicitated as he completes two years of power, said sources. The official notification regarding the session will be released in a day or two.

Confirming the development, a State Minister requesting anonymity said that the budget session has been advanced due to the Parliamentary election and fund approval for mega schemes announced in the budget must come from central government. “If the election dates are announced, the model code of conduct will be enforced and funds will be stopped by the Centre. The budget session has been advanced to get the funds,” the Minister added.