Budget session begins today, set to be stormy

The session would commence with the tabling of the Revised Budget Estimates for 2016-17 by Finance Minister O Panneerselvam. This would be the first full-fledged budget session after the brief session last month when the Governor delivered his customary address and it was adopted in the House. 

Sources said the session was likely to last for a month as the demand for grants for various departments would be taken after the budget debate and the reply by Panneerselvam. With DMK treasurer and leader of the opposition MK Stalin stating that their party members would not stage walk-outs from the House, the session is expected to witness animated discussions on various issues. 

With Stalin demanding adoption of a resolution in the Assembly to condemn Andhra Pradesh’s move to raise the height of the check dam across Palar, this issue along with the continuing arrest and harassment of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy is expected to dominate the session.