The Rajasthan Assembly’s budget session is scheduled to begin on 28 January. During this approximately month-long session, the Bhajan Lal government will present its third budget. Governor Haribhau Bagade has officially issued the notification convening the assembly session.

The fifth session of the sixteenth Rajasthan Assembly will commence with the Governor’s address, following the legislative tradition of starting the first session of each calendar year with the Governor’s speech. During the session, important state matters, legislative business, and public-interest issues will be discussed. Parliamentary procedures such as questions, motions for attention, special mentions, and adjournment motions will also be conducted.

Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devanani has continued the tradition of all-party meetings in the Rajasthan Assembly, a practice similar to the Indian Parliament, marking an important innovation in the assembly’s history. Ahead of this session, Speaker Devanani will convene another all-party meeting.

### High-Level Preparations to Address Pending Questions

On 2 January, Speaker Devanani held a high-level meeting in the assembly with the Chief Secretary of Rajasthan and senior secretaries to ensure pending questions are answered on time. Present were Chief Secretary V. Srinivas, additional chief secretaries and principal secretaries of various departments, and Bharat Bhushan Sharma, Principal Secretary of the Rajasthan Assembly, among other senior officials.

Devanani directed all departmental secretaries to submit answers to all pending questions, motions for attention, and special mentions by 15 January, ensuring zero pendency and establishing a system to prevent delays in the future. He instructed secretaries to prioritize pending questions in special camps and to have officials seated in the officer gallery during discussions on question hour, zero hour, and other topics.

### Emphasis on Accountability and Timely Responses

Speaker Devanani emphasized that officials must seriously prioritize responding to legislators’ questions, along with their other duties, so that the Rajasthan Assembly becomes a model legislature with zero pendency. A department-wise presentation was given on pending cases from the 15th and 16th assemblies, revealing that 35% of questions from the 16th assembly’s fourth session—about 2031 questions—still await answers.

Devanani expressed concern over some departments not adhering to the prescribed timelines and stated that negligence would no longer be tolerated. While improvements have been seen in responding to pending questions, further acceleration is needed. Officials were also instructed to avoid repeating incorrect answers and to ensure the implementation of assurances given by ministers during the session.

The Speaker highlighted that the executive and legislature share responsibility in addressing public expectations, and that secretaries must work with a team spirit to fulfill these duties efficiently. Chief Secretary V. Srinivas assured the Speaker that all departments would follow his instructions, hold special camps, and resolve pending questions within the prescribed timelines.

### Anticipated Budget and Political Context

Political observers suggest that this year’s Rajasthan government budget may be highly populist, as after the conclusion of the assembly session and the Holi festival, local body and Panchayati Raj elections will take place. The Bhajan Lal government is expected to aim for measures that enhance its chances of electoral success, similar to previous by-election strategies.

This session of the assembly is seen as a strong platform for addressing the concerns of over eight crore people of Rajasthan, with senior officials responsible for implementing solutions raised by elected representatives.

 

Source: