Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has reached the North Block with Budget papers amid doubts over its presentation in view of former Union Minister and sitting MP E Ahamed’s death. As per convention the House adjourns for a day, after mourning the departed sitting member.
Government sources, however, say a postponement of Budget is unlikely as there has been a precedent where a Budget presentation went ahead after passing an obit reference. Government sources say all Budget papers are printed with today’s date, postponement will cause many hassles.
The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariat have not been informed of any postponement. The decision is likely to be announced on the floor of the House.
Stay tuned for LIVE updates of Budget Day:
Feb 1, 2017 9:12 am (IST)
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Former parliamentary affairs minister and Congress leader Kamal Nath to CNN-News18’s Marya Shakil: “The precedent and convention in Lok Sabha are very clear that if a sitting member passes away, the House is adjourned as a tribute. Convention and precedents must be closely protected.” Party sources had earlier told News18 that it won’t seek a postponement of Union Budget 2017.
Feb 1, 2017 9:04 am (IST)
Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi condolence demise of E Ahamed
Deeply saddened by the demise of Shri E Ahamed. A veteran parliamentarian& a valued colleague,he served his country with honour &dedication
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) February 1, 2017
Feb 1, 2017 9:02 am (IST)
Cabinet to meet as scheduled at 10:15am. It is at this meeting that Union Budget 2017 will be approved by Cabinet.
Feb 1, 2017 8:56 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:52 am (IST)
Finance Ministry Arun Jaitley has left his residence. Government sources tell CNN-News18’s Marya Shakil that Union Budget 2017 will go ahead is scheduled.
Feb 1, 2017 8:50 am (IST)
CLICK TO READ: Ahamed’s Death Casts a Shadow Over Budget Presentation
Feb 1, 2017 8:49 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:48 am (IST)
MoS Finance Arjun Ram Meghwal has reached the Finance Ministry
Feb 1, 2017 8:46 am (IST)
Condolences on the sad demise of Mr. E Ahamed, a veteran parliamentarian & former Union Minister. May the departed soul rest in peace.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) February 1, 2017
Feb 1, 2017 8:32 am (IST)
Meanwhile, Ahamed’s family has alleged that the authorities at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, where the MP was rushed, refused to allow them to see him. “Doctors told us that he was declared dead at 2.15 am, but we doubt this,” one of them told CNN-News18. News channels in Kerala reported the family had filed a police complaint in this regard. “This is absolutely unethical,” said Ahmed’s daughter Fouzia, herself a doctor. The other IUML MP from Kerala, ET Mohammed Basheer, said not allowing the son and daughter of Ahmed to visit him in his last moments was cruel to say the least.
Feb 1, 2017 8:29 am (IST)
Naveen Jindal, the former member of Parliament condoles demise of E Ahamed.
Saddened by the demise of Shri #EAhamed . He was a great leader& a very good human being. My condolences to his family. May his soul RIP.
— Naveen Jindal (@MPNaveenJindal) February 1, 2017
Feb 1, 2017 8:27 am (IST)
Sources in the Congress tell CNN-News18’s Pallavi Ghosh that the opposition party won’t be asking for postponement of Union Budget 2017 in view of E Ahamed’s death.
Feb 1, 2017 8:26 am (IST)
Amid the speculation, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has tweeted that it will be posting live updates of the Budget from 11am.
Feb 1, 2017 8:24 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:24 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:21 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:21 am (IST)
Amid the speculation, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) has tweeted that it will be posting live updates of the Budget from 11am.
Feb 1, 2017 8:20 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:18 am (IST)
A decision on postponing the Budget by a day will be taken after Lok Sabha Speaker discusses the issue with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar, Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi. The decision taken is likely to be announced on the floor of the House.
Feb 1, 2017 8:17 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:17 am (IST)
Feb 1, 2017 8:15 am (IST)
Ahamed, an Union Muslim League leader, had served as Minister of State for External Affairs in the erstwhile UPA government. He had suffered cardiac arrest during President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to the joint session of Parliament on Tuesday.
Feb 1, 2017 8:10 am (IST)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoles former union minister Ahamed death
Saddened by the demise of Mr. E Ahamed, a veteran political leader who served the nation with great diligence. My condolences.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 1, 2017
Feb 1, 2017 8:06 am (IST)
According to constitutional expert and senior Supreme Court advocate, “Even if a Lok Sabha MP passes away, there is no legal bar to stop the Budget presentation. The House has its own convention and it will be followed accordingly. May be a two-minute silence will be observed, but there will be no change in the Budget presentation schedule.”
Feb 1, 2017 8:05 am (IST)
Government sources however, say a postponement of Budget is unlikely. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariat have not been informed of any postponement. The decision is likely to be announced on the floor of the House.
Feb 1, 2017 8:05 am (IST)
Former Union Minister and MP E Ahamed’s death has raised doubts about presentation of the Budget today. As per convention, the House adjourns for a day whenever a sitting MP passes away.
Feb 1, 2017 8:02 am (IST)
Good morning and welcome to the live blog of the Union Budget 2017
Source: News18