No problem over Budget: Sangma

Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma does not foresee any major crisis developing on the question of the Budget following the withdrawal of Congress support to the UF government.

Sangma says he is confident that the political parties and their leaders are responsible enough to realise the implications of not passing the Budget before the vote of confidence is taken up.

Sangma said this was not the first time that such a situation had arisen. A similar crisis had occurred in March 1991 and was countered successfully by then prime minister Chandra Shekhar.

The Lok Sabha is likely to meet for a single-day session on April 11 to consider the vote of confidence in the Deve Gowda-led United Front government.

Sources in the parliamentary affairs ministry said the government is understood to have advised Sangma that it required only one day for the purpose.

It is also understood that the letter has indicated that the House will consider the vote of confidence and transact other important business. However, it does not specifically mention passing of the Budget.

The President has asked H D Deve Gowda to seek a vote of confidence by April 11. Although the vote on account has been approved, the Budget itself has to be passed by the end of May.