The Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is all set to present its first budget after coming to power for the second term. The budget on 26 May is expected to focus on expanding social welfare schemes as well as give further momentum to infrastructure development in the state.

UP’s legislative assembly proceedings will now be completely paperless. Under the National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA), all the MLAs will have electronic tablets installed on their desks in the assembly.

The service was inaugurated by Adityanath on 19 May. Orientation programmes have been held to help legislators get familiarised with the system. A NeVA service centre has been set up to provide training in the implementation of the e-Vidhan Sabha app. Around 30 experts from National Informatics Centre (NIC) have been posted permanently in UP Vidhan Sabha.

NeVA is a central government initiative to make all-state assemblies digital and paperless. All the legislators of the country would be on one single platform and have access to a vast data repository.

A day prior to the beginning of the budget session, the government held an all-party meet. Chief Minister Adityanath appealed to the opposition for their support for a fruitful session ahead. He said that debates in the assembly should take place in a positive environment and in a way that even people benefit from the discussions.

Before the start of the budget session, the Chief Minister said that the government is prepared to discuss all issues which will be raised by members of the assembly.

During the Governor’s address, members of the Samajwadi Party raised slogans and walked into the well of the house to interrupt the speech.