TN Assembly to resume budget session, Question Hour begins today

Chennai, Aug 27 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly will resume its ongoing budget session on Thursday, with Question Hour scheduled for the first time since the TVK government assumed office.

The general Budget for 2026-27 was presented in the Assembly on August 5, followed by the Agriculture Budget on August 6. Members debated the two financial statements on August 7, 10 and 11. Finance Minister Maria Wilson and Agriculture Minister Vinod replied to the debate on August 12, outlining the government’s fiscal priorities and agricultural plans. Department-wise discussions on demands for grants began on August 17.

The House has so far completed deliberations on the grant demands of 27 departments. Proceedings were suspended on Wednesday owing to the government holiday for Milad-un-Nabi and will resume on Thursday morning.

The day’s sitting is expected to begin with Question Hour. Although the Assembly normally takes up about 10 questions during the allotted period, only five questions are reportedly being listed at present. Sources attributed the reduced number to delays in receiving complete replies from the departments concerned to questions submitted by legislators.

After Question Hour, BJP legislator Bhojarajan is likely to draw the government’s attention to the reported proposal to hand over the Ooty Boat House to a private operator. The issue is likely to prompt a wider discussion over the management of public tourism assets and the safeguards required in any private participation arrangement.

The House will then take up demands for grants relating to the Social Justice Department and the departments handling the welfare of backward classes, most backward classes and minorities.

Members from both the ruling coalition and the Opposition are expected to participate in the debate, raising questions on the implementation of welfare programmes, allocation of funds and the delivery of benefits to eligible communities.

Social Justice Minister Vanniyarasu and Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Minister V. Sampathkumar will reply to the points raised by legislators. The two ministers are also expected to announce new schemes and policy measures relating to their respective departments before the House votes on the grant demands.

Further department-wise debates will continue as the Assembly moves towards completing the remaining financial business of the session.

–IANS

aal/dpb