Budget session begins amid BNP boycott

The second session —Budget session— of the ninth parliament, began at about 3:25 pm on Thursday amid the boycott by the BNP over seating arrangement in the House.
The BNP parliamentary body was scheduled to meet before the parliamentary session to decide whether they will join the session. But the meeting was not held due to illness of Opposition Leader Khaleda Zia, Chief Whip of the opposition Zainal Abdin Farroque told reporters at the parliament building.
Many of the BNP lawmakers however were in favour of joining the session.
Presided over by speaker Abdul Hamid, finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith is expected to present the budget for 2009-10 fiscal in parliament on June 11.
The second session of the ninth parliament will continue till July 9, and if necessary, the speaker may extend the duration for a few more days.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Jatiya Party chairman HM Ershad and other MPs were present.
SNM/ June 04