Bengal assembly adopts resolution to bypass Standing Committee scrutiny of budgetary demands

Business To Business, Kolkata, 25^th June, 2026:   The West Bengal Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution allowing the government to bypass the usual scrutiny of budgetary demands by Standing Committees, clearing the way for the passage of the state budget for 2026-27 within the stipulated timeframe.
The resolution was moved in the House by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh under Rule 208 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.
According to the resolution, although the general discussion on the state budget had been completed, referring the Demands for Grants of various departments to Standing Committees for detailed examination would not be feasible before the expiry of the Vote-on-Account on July 31.
The move enables the Assembly to directly take up and dispose of the Demands for Grants, thereby ensuring that the budgetary process is completed before the temporary financial authorisation granted through the Vote-on-Account comes to an end.
The government argued that the step was necessary to avoid procedural delays and ensure the timely passage of the full budget for the financial year 2026-27.
The adoption of the resolution marks an important procedural step in the state's budget process, allowing the government to secure legislative approval for expenditure and policy proposals contained in the budget.