A question mark had been put over Budget presentation after State Election Commissioner AK Dubey wrote to the government, informing about the imposition of the model code of conduct for the April 7 elections to gram panchayats, panchayat samitis and zila parishads in the state. Dubey has sought the government's view on the presentation of the Budget and the likely sops that could feature in the Finance Minister's speech. He has informed the government that in view of the model code of conduct being in force, no incentive or sop that could influence the voters could be part of the Budget speech.

However, Chief Secretary RI Singh today said the government had written to the State Election Commission clarifying everything. "Presentation of the Budget is a Constitutional responsibility of the state government. We have accordingly informed the Election Commission. There is no change in the date and everything will be as per schedule," Singh said.

If the state government's clarification is accepted by the State Election Commission, Manpreet Badal will present the Budget on March 17. The decision of the state government to announce elections on April 7 even as the Budget session was on was seen as a major faux pas.