Kerala assembly Budget session from June 24

The Budget session of the newly-elected Kerala Assembly will commence from June 24 and end on July 20.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, chief minister Oommen Chandy said the government would introduce the full Budget for the current financial year in the session. Election to the post of Speaker will be held on June 2 while that of deputy Speaker will be held later. N Sakthan of the Congress will be nominated for the post of pro-term Speaker, he said.

The government also appointed a four-member Cabinet sub-committee for the speedy implementation of various public works. The members are KM Mani, PJ Joseph, VK Ibrahimkunju and MK Muneer.

A three-member sub-committee will also be formed to sort out the issues pertaining to the division of the department of local self government. Earlier, the government had decided to divide the department into rural and urban affairs, giving charges of these ministries to two ministers.

Chandy said the government would enhance the number of seats in higher secondary schools by 20 per cent in this academic year.

Meanwhile,  G Kartikeyan of the Congress is likely to be the Speaker. The Congress had earlier considered Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and VD Satheesan for the post but both of them did not show interest. Later, Thiruvanchoor, an ardent supporter of the chief minister, was included in the council of ministers.

The post of the Speaker is crucial in the 13th Assembly as the lead margin of the treasury bench is very thin, just five including the Anglo Indian nominee. The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has not decided on their candidate for  the post.

Anglo-Indian rep
With its coalition partners coming out with their own demands, the Congress has nominated Loody Louise as the Anglo-Indian representative taking its tally to 73 in the 141-strong house. The move is to ensure that its candidate wins the Speaker’s post. The minimum votes required for electing the Speaker is 71.

The Kerala Congress (Mani) wants the Speaker post for PC George, one of its senior leaders, but the Congress offered him deputy speaker. George has turned it down.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), on the other hand, is not ready to take the post of chief whip and has instead asked for Parliamentary Affairs.