India Supreme Court rejects petition to delay federal budget News
India Supreme Court rejects petition to delay federal budget

[JURIST] India’s Supreme Court [official website] on Monday rejected a petition [text, PDF] filed by public interest lawyer M.L. Sharma calling for a delay in the federal budget, dismissing concerns about the budget’s effect on voters. Chief Justice J.S. Khehar [official profile] found no merit in the petition requesting the budget release delay until a round of five regional elections were conducted. Following the ruling, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley [official profile] will deliver the budget on February 1 as planned. When giving the ruling, Chief Justice Khehar stated that there is no evidence supporting Sharma’s contention that the budget will influence voters in state elections. The Chief Justice also referred to constitutional provisions which clearly separate the subjects, Union and State, indicating that the budget can’t be dependent on state polls.

The petition was motivated [Reuters] by concerns that Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s [official website] government could offer budget giveaways to attract votes in state assembly elections being held in February and March. A strong showing in state elections is critical for Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party [official website] if they are to gain reelection in the 2019 general elections. Results of all elections will be released in mid-March.