NEW DELHI: Accusing the Sheila Dikshit Government of making a mockery of the budget presentation, the Leader of the Opposition in the Delhi Assembly, Jagdish Mukhi, on Friday said it was surprising that the city budget would be presented and passed before March 17, opening the doors for hoarding and black-marketing of commodities.

Addressing a joint press conference along with the party's chief whip, Sahib Singh Chauhan, here on Friday, Mr. Mukhi said it would be the first time that Delhi Budget would be passed on March 17 and it would pave the way for hoarding and black marketing of commodities that would witness changes in their floor rates or prices.

He said the effort to finish off the budget session by March 18 was also aimed at avoiding a debate on the power and water situation that was fast developing into a major crisis. Already the temperatures are soaring beyond normal and by the end of March things would get worse. "The Government is clearly trying to escape from a debate on the issue of water shortage, power crisis and related issues that would have come up during that period."

Mr. Mukhi said the budget session is always very important and sensitive. Important financial decisions are taken during this session including reduction in rates of taxes and prices of commodities. If the budget is passed on March 17, it would lead to hoarding of goods up to March 31 as the new proposals come into effect only from April 1.

Accusing the Chief Minister of violating democratic norms in the preparation of the budget, Mr. Mukhi said it was shocking that the budget was being presented without holding a meeting of the State Planning Board.

Mr. Chauhan demanded that the budget session of the assembly be extended up to March 31 so that all the pressing problems are discussed at length.

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