By IANS,
Kolkata: West Bengal Assembly Speaker H.A. Halim Friday said the Election Commission should have consulted him to ascertain the pending legislative business in the house before announcing the assembly poll dates.
“According to constitutional provisions, placing the budget is a must. They (the Election Commission) should have consulted me before finalising the poll dates,” Halim said during a media meet where he announced that the budget session of the house would be held March 10-25.
Halim’s observation came as he was asked whether announcements made during the session would not amount to a violation of the model code of conduct which is in force since the announcement of the election March 1.
“Only a vote-on-account will be placed in the house. And if pro-people decisions are taken during the budget session after placing the vote-on-account, that will not amount to a violation of the model code of conduct,” said Halim, who has been speaker since 1982.
He said four bills are likely to be tabled during the session, whose length has been shortened following a request from the opposition.
Leader of the Opposition Partha Chatterjee however said the four bills should have been deferred for the new house.
“The Left front government knows it will lose. So it is rushing though the bills. In case we find they are violating the code of conduct, we will inform the Election Commission,” he said.