New Delhi: Observing that there is nothing in law to bar Centre from presenting the Union Budget on February 1, the Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL challenging the Centre’s decision to advance the Budget from February 28 to February 1.
A three-judge bench of Chief Justice J.S. Khehar and Justices N.V. Ramana and D.Y. Chandrachud rejected arguments of petitioner-advocate M.L. Sharma that presentation of the Budget on February 1 will influence the voters in the five States going to polls.
The Bench observed, “Your argument that the Budget should be presented only in April after the commencement of the financial year is absurd. The government needs finance to run the government from April 1.”
The CJI told counsel, “There is no valid argument to corroborate how advancing the Budget will influence voters. We gave you enough time but you are not able to show us any provision of law which bars advancing the date of budget. Going by your argument next you will say that party in power at the Centre should not contest polls.”
The petitioner said the Election Commission on January 4 had announced elections in five states between February 4 and March 8 for Goa, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and UP. Counting would take place on March 11.
The petitioner said with the formal announcement of the dates, the Model Code of Conduct comes into force and no policy announcements should be made.
