Govt to get Budget approved by July 31

The government said on Wednesday it would get the Union Budget for 2009-10 approved by July 31, avoiding the need for going in for a second vote-on-account.

"We have to pass the Budget by July 31. We have no idea for going in for a second vote-on-account at all," parliamentary affairs minister P K Bansal told reporters. He said the government has held discussions with leaders of opposition parties and the Budget would be passed without being sent to the Standing Committee.

There would be a detailed discussion on General Budget, demands for grants of four ministries, appropriation bills and Finance Bill.

The new session is likely to be convened by the last week of this month or the first day of next month and the government has requested the President to prorogue the brief session which concluded on Tuesday, he said.

Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee too had earlier ruled out going in for another interim Budget.

Bansal said the government would be calling a meeting of secretaries of various ministries to prioritise the bills for introduction in Parliament.

As regards Insurance and LIC bills, he said government is for economic reforms and those were on the agenda.

Land Acquisition Bill and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill, which got lapsed due to dissolution of the previous Lok Sabha, are likely to be introduced.