Neither possible nor correct to postpone budget after copies reach Parl: Constitution expert

Clearing the air over the postponement of the Union Budget 2017-18 following the demise of former union minister and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) MP E. Ahamed, Constitution expert Subhash Kashyap today said it is neither possible nor is it correct to postpone the same after the budget copies have reached the Parliament.

Further it may be noted that when the House meets, silence should be observed and then the budget should be presented as fixed, as it cannot be postponed, Kashyap told ANI, thereby ending speculations about the budget being postponed.

"As a matter of convention, if a sitting member dies during the house session, then the house is adjourned for the day to enable members to attend the funeral," added Kashyap.

It may be noted that the budget was passed in the past as well even after sitting MP Paul Jujhar and MoS industry M.B. Rana breathed their last in 1954 and 1974 respectively.

"However, in the present case the funeral is presumably tomorrow in Kerala at his home town. So to enable the members to attend the funeral, it will be desirable to adjourn the house for tomorrow," he added.

Ahmad, who served as the Minister of State for External Affairs in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA government, breathed his last at the RML Hospital in the national capital.

He took ill in the Central Hall of Parliament during President Pranab Mukherjee's address yesterday.

His mortal remains will be taken to his residence here so that the public can pay their homage, post which his remains will be flown to his hometown Kannur.