Supreme Court Seeks Legal Provisions That Bars Budget Presentation Before Assembly Polls

The Supreme Court sought legal provisions supporting the PIL against the Centre’s decision to present Union Budget on February 1. Deferring the PIL hearing to January 20, the apex court sought material and legal provisions that bars presentation of budget before assembly elections. The apex court asked PIL petitioner Manohar Lal Sharma which law is violated if budget is presented on February 1 instead of March 1. The bench also said that at present it doesn’t find any provision in support of plea. Last week, many opposition parties met the Election Commissioner demanding that the Budget be presented only after the assembly elections, as it can potentially influence voters ahead of polls.