Budget date decided much in advance of poll schedule: Jaitley

January 08, 2017 21:46

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the date for presenting the Union Budget on February 1 was decided much in advance of the Election Commissions announcement of Punjab polls three days later, dismissing Opposition allegation that the budget was scheduled keeping in view the state elections.

He said there was a practice to present the budget on February 28 but this year it would be presented on February 1.

"The idea is to pass the Finance Bill by March 31, so that next years expenses could be started from April 1," he said.

Refuting the Oppositions allegation, Jaitley said the date for presenting the budget was decided much earlier, before the announcement of Punjab polls and it would be wrong to say the date was fixed keeping Punjab elections in view.

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