RANCHI, Feb. 17 -- The fifth budget session of the sixth Jharkhand Assembly would begin on Wednesday, even as Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahato on Tuesday chaired a host of meetings including an all-party meet to chalk out the strategy for smooth functioning of the month-long session, people aware of the development said.

The session will be held from February 18 to March 19, with 19 business days, during which the state budget for the financial year 2026-27 will be tabled on February 24.

Officials said the Speaker held a host of meetings including an all-party meeting, which was attended by chief minister Hemant Soren, leader of opposition Babulal Marandi, Congress legislature party leader Pradeep Yadav and representatives of other parties....