Doubts over Budget after sitting MP E. Ahamed passes away
Doubts were raised over the Union Budget's presentation following the death of E Ahamed, a sitting MP and former union minister. 78-year-old Ahamed suffered a cardiac arrest yesterday while President Pranab Mukherjee was addressing both houses of Parliament. As per convention, the House adjourns for a day, after mourning the departed sitting member. The government said it's unlikely that the Budget will be postponed.
Doubts over Budget after sitting MP E. Ahamed passes away
Doubts were raised over the Union Budget's presentation following the death of E Ahamed, a sitting MP and former union minister. 78-year-old Ahamed suffered a cardiac arrest yesterday while President Pranab Mukherjee was addressing both houses of Parliament. As per convention, the House adjourns for a day, after mourning the departed sitting member. The government said it's unlikely that the Budget will be postponed.
Budget was presented in 1974 a day after MP's death
"On August 31, 1974, sitting MP MB Rana passed away and then speaker GS Dhillon decided not to adjourn the House and Budget was presented," a source told CNN News 18.
Budget's postponement over Ahamed's death is unlikely
There has been a precedent where a Budget presentation has been made following an obit reference about a deceased MP. Ahamed was an MP in the Lok Sabha (LS). The LS can be adjourned to mourn his death, while the Budget presentation can be made in the Rajya Sabha. Sources said all Budget papers printed bear today's date and its postponement will create problems.
Jaitley confirms Budget will be presented today
"Watch me live presenting the Union Budget 2017 at 11 am, February 1, 2017," tweeted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, dispelling doubts over the possibility of the Budget's postponement. Jaitley has reached Parliament along with the Budget papers.
BJP's Naidu asks parties to cooperate in Budget proceedings
BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu has reportedly spoken to political parties, seeking their cooperation for Budget proceedings to go forward as per schedule. Congress leader Kamal Nath said Parliament should be adjourned. However, sources in the Congress said it won't seek the Budget's postponement.
LS Speaker says Budget presentation to go on as planned
LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said she is saddened by the death of MP E Ahamed. She said the budget is a constitutional obligation and must be presented as scheduled.
Janata Dal United seeks a probe into E Ahamed's death
Janata Dal United has come out in ardent support of the investigation of Former Union Minister E Ahamed's death. Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav said: "The nation deserves to know how much of it is true, how much of it is false." Ahamed's family demanded an investigation into the unethical approach of the RML hospital and Centre over Ahamed's death.
Rahul Gandhi joins protest over Ahamed's death
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi joined the protests in the Parliament complex over IUML MP E Ahamed's death. Protesters have alleged that the government kept the circumstances surrounding Ahamed's death secret. He had collapsed in Parliament and died in hospital subsequently. Lok Sabha proceedings have been adjourned till 12 pm in light of the protests.
