Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday announced that the Budget Session of the Assam Legislative Assembly will commence on 6 July and continue for 21 days, enabling the government to pass the full Budget and begin disbursing benefits under various welfare and development schemes from 1 August.
Addressing reporters after chairing a Cabinet meeting following the expansion of his ministry earlier in the day, Sarma said the government had been unable to pass the full Budget earlier because Assembly elections necessitated the approval of only a vote-on-account.
“The budget session will continue for 21 days and will start from July 6, as at least a month is needed to summon the House,” Sarma said.
He added that benefits under several government schemes would start reaching beneficiaries from 1 August once the Budget is approved by the Assembly.
The Chief Minister said the government had been unable to release scheme-related benefits as planned because only a vote-on-account could be passed before the elections.
Also read: Assam Cabinet expanded; 12 ministers sworn in
Sarma also said portfolios for the newly inducted ministers would be allocated within the next seven days.
“I will announce the portfolios within a week after considering all aspects carefully,” he said.
The list of guardian ministers for various districts will be announced on Saturday, he added.
Guardian ministers are tasked with overseeing developmental activities in their respective districts.
Friday’s meeting was the first Cabinet sitting of the expanded 16-member ministry. Twelve ministers were sworn in earlier in the day, while four ministers had taken oath on 12 May.
Sarma returned to office for a second consecutive term after the National Democratic Alliance secured 102 seats in the recently concluded Assam Assembly elections.
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