Madhya Pradesh Budget Session Set to Kick Off with High Stakes and Innovations
The Budget session of the Madhya Pradesh state legislative assembly is scheduled to begin on Monday, marking a significant period for governance and policy discussions in the region. According to an official notification from the state assembly secretariat, Governor Mangubhai C Patel will deliver the customary inaugural address as the session convenes, setting the tone for the proceedings.
Session Duration and Key Dates
The session is planned to span a total of 19 days, concluding on March 6, and will include 12 sittings. This extended period allows for comprehensive debates and legislative work. Notably, in March, the assembly will only be in session for two days, specifically on March 5 and 6, due to extended Holi celebrations from March 2 to 4, which may impact the scheduling of critical discussions.
Anticipated Stormy Debates and Opposition Focus
The session is expected to be particularly contentious, with the principal opposition party, Congress, poised to challenge the treasury benches on several pressing issues. Key points of contention include:
- The diarrhoea deaths linked to sewage contamination of groundwater in Indore's Bhagirathpura area.
- The deaths of children after ingesting an alleged spurious cough syrup in Chhindwara and Betul districts.
- The alleged recovery of beef from a slaughterhouse in Bhopal, which has sparked controversy.
Additionally, the opposition may intensify pressure on the government regarding the alleged delay in acting against state minister Vijay Shah. This follows his offensive remark against army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, despite the Supreme Court setting a two-week deadline for sanctioning prosecution against the minister.
Budget Presentation and Financial Highlights
Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda, who also oversees the Finance department, is speculated to present the budget for fiscal year 2026-27. The total outlay is projected to be approximately Rs 4.7 lakh crore, representing an increase from the previous budget for fiscal 2025-26, which amounted to Rs 4.21 lakh crore. In a landmark move for Madhya Pradesh, this year's budget will be presented in a paperless format, eliminating the traditional heavy bundles of budget booklets. However, printed copies of the budget speech will still be distributed in limited numbers to ensure accessibility.
Political Developments and Membership Issues
The session could also address the contentious issue of Congress MLA Nirmala Sapre, who defected to the BJP during the Lok Sabha election in May 2025 but has not been granted membership in the ruling party. The Congress has escalated this matter to the High Court, where the state government argued that the decision rests with the Speaker. Recently, Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar called Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar for discussions regarding Sapre's membership in the House. The Congress is advocating for the annulment of her assembly membership, adding another layer of political intrigue to the session.
High-Level Meetings and Diplomatic Engagements
In a notable development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's principal secretary, PK Mishra, met with Governor Mangubhai Patel and Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in Bhopal on Saturday. The meeting, held at the Governor's official residence, Lok Bhavan, was described as a courtesy call. Officials familiar with the discussions indicated that various subjects were covered during the parleys. Mishra, who was in the city to attend a private function, also held a separate meeting with Chief Minister Yadav at Samatva Bhavan, where they discussed multiple topics, further highlighting the political and administrative engagements surrounding the session.
As the Budget session unfolds, stakeholders across Madhya Pradesh will be closely monitoring these developments, which blend financial planning with critical social and political debates.
