The Budget session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly started on Friday as the Opposition prepares itself to counter the government with issues such as corruption, unemployment and more. This Budget session is expected to set a tone for the Lok Sabha election as the current chief minister of UP, Yogi Adityanath, is expected to present the 'largest-ever' Budget accounting for over Rs 7 lakh crore for the financial year 2024-25. The Budget announcement for the UP Assembly is scheduled for February 5.


UP Budget session started with Governor Anandiben Patel addressing both the Houses, Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, together in the Assembly on the first day (February 2).


CM Yogi Adityanath addressed the media outside Vidhan Sabha and congratulated everyone on the Ayodhya Ram temple’s ‘Pran Pratishtha’. He said, "The Budget 2024-25 will be presented in the session, and there will be a discussion on it. UP legislation is the centre of the hope, aspirations, and expectations of the people of the state. I appeal to the opposition members that we need to make the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly as centres of positive discussions.”


This year’s UP budget is expected to have a special focus on infrastructure in addition to tourism and welfare initiatives for youths, farmers, and women. The Budget is also likely to have other possible populist announcements as the 2024 Lok Sabha elections are around the corner.


CM Adityanath has reportedly requested additional fund allocation from the BJP-led central government for infrastructure development. There are expectations of increased allocations for capital expenditure and ongoing projects as well.


Meanwhile, on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly speaker Satish Mahana held meetings of the business advisory committee along with an all-party meeting. The Speaker utilised the occasion to encourage members to collaborate in maintaining the positive perception created about Uttar Pradesh.


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