E. Ahamed's death casts shadow over Budget presentation

New Delhi [India], Feb. 1 (ANI): Even as Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and other ministry officials reached the Parliament, speculations over presentation of the much-awaited Union Budget continue as former union minister and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader E. Ahamed passed away this morning. Minister of State for Finance Santosh Gangwar earlier in the day said that Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan would take a final call on whether the House will be adjourned or not. The decision is expected by 10 a.m. "Due to the unfortunate passing away of a sitting MP, the Speaker will decide if the House will be adjourned or not. Normally, the House is adjourned on the death of a sitting MP. So, the chances are budget can be postponed for a day, but the Speaker will decide," Gangwar told ANI. Jaitley will present the Union Budget in Parliament today. There will be no separate Rail Budget from this year, as it has been merged with the General Budget. Yesterday, the Economic Survey was presented in the Parliament. After presenting the Budget, Jaitley will reply to questions by Twitterati on the Budget proposals. He said, he will be happy to respond to the questions sent directly to him on twitter. The questions to the Finance Minister can be asked on Twitter by using hashtag #MyQuestionToFM. The first part of the Budget Session will continue till February 9 and after a month long recess the second part will commence from March 9. The first part of the session has been kept brief in view of ongoing assembly polls in five states. During the recess, the Standing Committees will consider the Demands for Grants of Ministries and Departments and prepare their Reports. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday urged the entire opposition to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament during the Budget Session. Addressing media outside Parliament, Prime Minister Modi called for a constructive debate on all issues. Ahamed passed away in the wee hours of today after suffering from heart attack. Ahamed, who served as the Minister of State for External Affairs in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-led UPA0 government, breathed his last at the RML Hospital in the national capital. He took ill in the Central Hall of Parliament during President Pranab Mukherjee's address yesterday. Ahamed's mortal remains will be taken to his residence here so that the public can pay their homage, post which his remains will be flown to his hometown Kannur. (ANI)