The outcome of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh is already weighing heavy on the UPA government. Apprehending repercussions of the elections in parliamentary proceedings, the government has drawn up a schedule to pass the Budget before the results come in.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister P.R. Dasmunsi wants that the discussion on Demand for Grants to be restricted to the ministries of Railways, Science & Technology, Labour and Home in the first two working days while guillotining the rest.

“Guillotining of outstanding demands may be applied on Saturday, April 28,” Dasmunsi proposed to the heads of both houses of parliament. To that end, he wants that day to be declared a ‘working day’ for Lok Sabha.

“The Finance Bill may be taken up in the Lok Sabha on Monday, April 30, and passed on May 3 immediately after Question Hour,” he suggested.

The Bill would be subsequently taken up in Rajya Sabha on May 5 by converting that Saturday into a working day for the Upper House.

Even though the government has time until May 14 to get the President’s assent, gains for the Samajwadi Party or the opposition BJP could lead to protests and walkouts in parliament once the Assembly results are announced on May 11.

Dasmunsi’s letter reflects this concern with his outlined schedule restricted upto May 10 when discussions on the working of the ministries could be taken up in the Rajya Sabha.

The Budget Session ends on May 22.

“Due to shortage of time, discussion on the demands of Human Resources Development Ministry may not be possible and a discussion on the working of the HRD Ministry could be considered separately on any other date,” said Dasmunsi’s letter, which sought approval of the Lok Sabha Speaker and Rajya Sabha Chairman.