Budget session of Kerala Assembly to be stormy

The brief budget session of Kerala Assembly beginning here from February 20 is likely to be stormy with Congress-led Opposition UDF set to raise issues, including price rise of essential commodities and the controversial HMT land deal issue.

UDF had blamed the LDF government for the increase in prices of commodities while government maintained that it was doing everything possible to check the price line.

The LDF had also stated that it was Centre's decision to cut the rice quota for the state, resulting in price rise of rice and other items.

The recent hike in petrol and diesel has added fuel to the already burning problem, LDF leaders pointed out.

On the HMT land deal issue, UDF had demanded resignations of State Industries Minister Elamaram Kareem and Revenue Minister K P Rajendran, for their alleged role in the sale of 70 acres of HMT land to a private company at a lower price for setting up a Cyber City near Kochi.

Meanwhile, Speaker K Radhakrishnan said the 2008-09 state budget would be presented on March 6. The session would start with customary address of the Governor on February 20.

The 14-day session would end on March 19, Radhakrishnan told reporters here. The vote on account would be passed on March 18, he said.

Important bills likely to come up for discussion are Coir Workers Welfare Cess bill, Paddy Field Protection and legislation handing over the appointments in Devaswom Board to Public Service Commission.