Jharkhand Assembly session commences today

• Jharkhand Assembly session begins, budget presentation scheduled for February 27th
• BJP criticizes session's short duration, emphasizes need for extended deliberation
• Former CM Hemant Soren denied permission to attend session, court cites concerns over evidence tampering

The Jharkhand Assembly session kicks off today, Friday, with the budget slated for presentation on the 27th of February. Running from February 23 to March 2, the session marks the government's first budget under Chief Minister Champai Soren's leadership. The session inauguration will feature the address of Governor CP Radhakrishnan, following an all-party meeting convened by Assembly Speaker Rabindranath Mahato last Thursday to ensure smooth proceedings.

The Assembly Speaker appealed to the MLAs of all parties to run the session smoothly. At the same time, BJP has expressed displeasure over the short budget session. Leader of Opposition Amar Bauri has clearly said that in a state like Jharkhand, calling the budget session for 6 working days is playing with the sentiments of the people of Jharkhand. After the meeting, Chief Minister Champai Soren while speaking to the journalists said that the government is fully prepared for the session and this time the budget will also be in the interest of the people of Jharkhand.

On the other hand, former CM Hemant Soren has not been allowed to attend the budget session of Jharkhand Assembly. The special ED court rejected the petition filed by Hemant Soren. The court said that he will have to remain in jail. They will not be allowed to come out during the budget session.Advocate General Rajeev Ranjan, appearing on behalf of Hemant Soren, said that this is not the first time that permission is being sought in the session of a person who is in judicial custody.

The Advocate General cited BJP MLA Dhullu Mahato and JMM MLA Nalin Soren in the court. He told the court that the financial bill has to be presented during the budget session of the Assembly, hence Hemant Soren's presence is mandatory.The investigating agency ED had opposed the Chief Minister's application in the court that if Hemant Soren comes out of jail, he may try to destroy the evidence. At the same time, accepting the ED's point, the court rejected the demand of the former Chief Minister.