After a gap of 14 years, the West Bengal state Assembly is set to deliberate on the budgetary provisions for the Home Department on Wednesday. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who oversees the department, will address concerns raised by legislators. Notably, the last discussion on the department’s budgetary allocations took place in 2012, with subsequent approvals being fast-tracked without debate.
The Trinamool Congress government, led by Mamata Banerjee, assumed power in 2011, marking the end of the 34-year Left Front rule. During her tenure as Chief Minister from 2011 to 2026, discussions on budgetary allocations for the state home department were scarce, except for the initial years. Opposition parties, including CPI(M)-led Left Front, Congress, and BJP, have been vocal about this issue over the years.
In a departure from past practices, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, the ninth to hold the position in West Bengal, has opted to introduce discussions on budgetary allocations for the Home Department in the Assembly. The deliberations are scheduled to take place during the first half of the extended budget session, with a two-hour slot allocated for the purpose, culminating in CM Adhikari’s response.
Following a lunch break, a state cabinet meeting will convene at the Assembly premises under the Chief Minister’s leadership to address key administrative matters. Subsequently, discussions on budgetary allocations for the state power department will ensue in the latter half of the extended budget session, with CM Adhikari expected to provide insights before the House adjourns for the day.
