Hyderabad, March 5 : In the backdrop of criticism from opposition parties over skipping of Governor’s customary speech by the Telangana Government in the upcoming budget session, Telangana Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan on Saturday evening clarified that the Government has in its own wisdom convened the Budget Session from March 7 without the customary address. Even though the Constitution has given certain powers to Governor and even when it is decided that Governor’s address will not be held, I gave my recommendation for the Presentation of the Budget in the Assembly, as my primary intention is for people’s welfare only and any other thing in whatever situation takes backseat, Dr Tamilisai said in a release here. The Government has said that because it is not a new Session but a continuation of the earlier session, it has not been possible to commence the Budget session with Governor’s Address, the Governor said. The Government has said it is because of this technical aspect, Governor’s Address is not possible and the House is meeting after a period of 5 months. Under normal circumstances when the House is convened after such a long interval, the House is convened for a new session, she said. Despite the long recess, the Government has chosen to continue the earlier session and do away with customary Governor’s Address by citing technical reasons, the Governor said. The Governor’s Address is not an address made by the Office of the Governor but is a statement of the Government in Office, she said. It is a report card of the activities and achievements of the Government during the previous year and the policy indicatives for the ensuing year. It provides the occasion for the members to hold meaningful discussion on the floor of the house about the administration and debate matters mentioned in the address. The Governor’s Address is an important instrument in upholding the democratic principles of making the Government responsible to the elected members. The Governor’s role is limited to being a catalyst to the democratic ideals enshrined in our Constitution. The Government while seeking the recommendation of the Governor for introduction of the Financial Bill had mentioned that the session would commence with the Governor’s address. Unfortunately, on clarification, it was stated that it was ‘inadvertent’, Dr Tamilisai said ironically that the note following democratic convention was stated as ‘inadvertent’. “ I, however, respecting the constitutional convention and going beyond political considerations and keeping up with the spirit of Cooperative Federalism, have conveyed my recommendation for introduction of the Financial Bill”, she said. “I had the liberty to take my time to give my recommendation, but knowing well that People’s Welfare is involved, and giving primacy to people’s welfare, I gave my recommendation without any time lag”, she said. “By not holding the Governor’s Address in this Budget Session, the Members now stand to lose out on the opport ty to discuss the previous year performance of the Government”, the Governor said. Anyhow, she said “ My Best Wishes to the people of Telangana”. KNR ACL2321