Budget session of Bihar assembly begins

PATNA - The month-long budget session of the Bihar assembly began here Tuesday with opposition members raising slogans against the government on issues like corruption and deteriorating law and order.

The session began with the customary address by the Bihar governor to the joint sitting of the state legislature.

Opposition Rashtriya Janata Dal, Lok Janshakti Party and Congress members tried to create an uproar when Governor Devanand Konwar was reading out his address.

The opposition has resolved to corner the government on several fronts, including the issue of rampant corruption and deteriorating law and order condition in the state.

However, the ruling Janata Dal-United (JD-U) and its ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) members were upbeat that the budget session will see introduction of several new legislations to check corruption, reform education and for smooth land acquisition for setting up industries in the state.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has already announced that his government will introduce the much publicised Right to Service Bill in the budget session. He has made it clear that his government is committed to hasten up the service delivery system like issuance of caste certificate to ration card holders and new electricity connection in stipulated time.

Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Sushil Kumar Modi will place the state budget Feb 25.

Leader of Opposition Abdul Bari Siddiqui said that opposition lawmakers will raise various issues of public concern. “We would expose the government’s real face by raising core issues,” he said.