UP's vote on account to come on Dec 15

The UP government will seek the passage of the Finance Bill for vote on account for the first four months of 2007-08 on December 15 in the assembly.

The cabinet earlier this month approved the draft Bill for this. This will be the fifth Finance Bill during the current fiscal. Besides, the regular Budget of 2006-07, the state government has obtained clearance three supplementary during this fiscal.

The Samajwadi Party is anxious to get the vote on account Bill passed because the party is pressing for assembly polls in February.

The last assembly polls were held in February 2002, but the first meeting of the assembly was held on May 15; so technically the term of the assembly ends on May 14, 2007. Besides, the passage of the Finance Bill for the 'Vote On Account' will enable the government to prove its majority on the floor of the house.

The size of the vote on account is close to Rs 20, 000 crore. This is for financing the committed expenditures like salary, pension and all ongoing development schemes under the plan and non plan sector in current fiscal 2006-07.