The budget session of the Maharashtra legislature began today with the opposition nailing the government on issues like law and order, inflation load-shedding and increase in VAT. The opposiition asked the Government to restore the VAT to 4% instead to 5%. The major issue that was discussed at the Assembly today was regarding increase in VAT. <br/><br/>The VAT which was 4% was increased by 1% a couple of days before the Assembly session. The tight security in and around Vidhan Bhavan disappointed the members. The issue was raised by Diwakar Rawate of Shiv Sena. Number of members including some from the treasury bench supported him. House leader, Deputy CM Chagan Bhujbal explained that the decision to tighten security was taken in the view of threat of terrorist attacks. Home Minister R.R. Patil also explained this. <br/><br/>While speaking to reporters, Home Minister said that inputs from intelligence agencies have suggested that key installations in the state including Maharashtra Assembly were on the terrorists’ radar. However security has been tightened up in and around the Assembly premises. <br/><br/>The budget session began with the traditional address by Governor K Sankaranarayanan to the joint session of the state assembly this afternoon. During his address, the Governor highlighted various infrastructure projects taken up by the state government to make Mumbai an international hub. He also said that two new hydraulic projects have been started to meet power shortage problem. He said the government is also banking on use of solar energy to meet this problem.