Raipur: Chhattisgarh is preparing for its upcoming budget session, set to take place from February 24 to March 21, 2025. This will mark the second budget presentation under the Vishnu Deo Sai government. In anticipation of the session, all cabinet ministers have been notified to be present in Raipur.
The session will commence with an address from Governor Ramen Deka, and a total of 17 meetings are scheduled. Tensions are expected to run high, as both ruling and opposition parties gear up for a contentious debate.
The opposition Congress party is likely to question the implementation of the state government’s first budget, alongside concerns regarding rising prices, unemployment, challenges faced by farmers, power shortages, law and order issues, and the execution of central government schemes in the state.
As of now, 1,862 questions have been submitted, including 943 starred and 871 unstarred questions, with most filed online. The process for raising questions will continue throughout the session.
Speculation suggests that the budget session could witness heated exchanges between the ruling party and the opposition. The Congress is preparing to challenge the government on various fronts, while the ruling party aims to defend its policies and plans aggressively. Key topics for discussion will likely include the state’s financial status, the implementation of central schemes, and the overall performance of the state government.
This budget session holds particular significance as it represents the second budget for the current government. The first budget for the financial year 2024-25 was presented on February 9, 2025, totaling Rs 1,47,500 crore, which was a 22% increase compared to the previous budget under the Bhupesh Baghel government.
Finance Minister OP Chaudhary will present the budget again, which is expected to emphasize agriculture, education, health, women’s empowerment, and employment. Chaudhary has indicated that the budget will be presented in a new format and will serve as a guiding force for Chhattisgarh’s long-term development goals, aligning with the vision of a developed India. He criticized the previous Congress government for alleged corruption and financial mismanagement, asserting that the BJP government has made efforts to rectify these issues within a year.
