Union Budget 2012-2013: Session schedule to be decided today

Schedule for the Budget session of Parliament will be decided on Tuesday amid indications that the Union Budget 2012-13 may be presented around the middle of March.

Meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA) headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is being held on Tuesday to decide the schedule of the session which is generally a three-month affair.

Talk in political circles is that the address of President Pratibha Patil to the joint sitting of both Houses could be on March 12 heralding the start of the session.

The Budget session, which generally starts in the third week of February, has been delayed this time due to the ongoing Assembly elections in five states including Uttar Pradesh. The model code of conduct is in force till March 9 when the election process would be completed.

There is speculation that presentation of the Budget could take place on March 16 and it is expected to be preceded by presentation of the Economic Survey and the Railway Budget.

The Finance Minister has already said that there is a Constitutional sanctity to two dates -- one is March 31 before which a vote on account should be taken so that there is no problem of withdrawal of money in the new financial year and the 75 days' deadline after presentation of taxation proposals to pass the Finance Bill.