First Lok Sabha session likely to begin on June 2

NEW DELHI: The first session of the 15th Lok Sabha is likely to begin on June 2. The new government will decide whether to present the Budget in the same session or re-convene Parliament later in the month for the purpose.

As per tradition, President Pratibha Patil will address a joint sitting of Parliament in the first session of the new regime. The senior-most member of Lower House will be appointed as Protem Speaker. In the 15th Lok Sabha, it is 75-year-old Manikrao Gavit, a nine-term member. He has a cumulative parliamentary experience of over 27 years. The Protem Speaker will chair the proceedings till the new government decides on a new speaker and deputy speaker. The newly-elected members will be administered oath by the Protem Speaker.

Mr Gavit has served as minister of state for home in the UPA government. Among the other senior members of Lok Sabha are CPM���s Basudeb Acharia, who has been in Lok Sabha for over 27 years followed by Congress leader Kamal Nath (26 years) and Vilas Muttemwar (24 years).

The UPA government had presented an interim budget in February this year before heading for elections. An interim budget was presented to seek Parliament���s approval for incurring obligatory and discretionary expenditures for three months. This means the budget session will have to be convened in June itself.

The interim budget, presented amid the economic meltdown, was criticised for not taking fiscal measures to address concerns in the extraordinary situation. The government had announced certain policy measures ahead of the Budget.