Interim budget failed to address meltdown issues: Bengal minister

July 6th, 2009 BHUBANESWAR - Orissa Chief minister Naveen Patnaik criticized the union budget presented Monday by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in the Lok Sabha saying that it does not satisfy the needs of the common man. "It is seen that the union budget is broadly continuance of the existing schemes.

February 16th, 2009 AGARTALA - Terming the interim budget of the central government a 'poll lollipop', the Left Front government in Tripura Tuesday said it largely neglected the northeastern region. The budget is 'a political agenda ahead of the general elections and no programme to deal with the crucial economic issues of the northeastern region in view of the slowdown', Tripura Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury told reporters.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Home Minister P. Chidambaram Monday praised the interim budget tabled in parliament, saying Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee had done a commendable job given the difficult times facing the Indian economy.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee did not present a populist budget as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had done a 'tremendous job' and does not need to play to the gallery, the ruling Congress maintained Monday. Mukherjee observed 'constitutional propriety' while presenting the interim budget, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday hailed the interim budget as a 'fine balancing act', and said it will stimulate growth for the country in these difficult times. 'I have no doubt that the continued stimulus for the various flagship programmes of the government will provide relief to all sections - specially the 'aam aadmi' (common man),' the prime minister said in a statement.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - The interim budget presented by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had failed to address the economic recession, most opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left, said Monday. Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Basudeb Acharya said the budget did not address the key issues facing the country.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Most opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left, Monday said that the interim budget presented by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee has ignored the 'aam admi' or common man and failed to address the economic recession. However, the ruling Congress said given the 'unenviable task' at hand, the acting finance minister has done a good job.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Following are the reactions from some prominent industrialists and economists to the interim budget presented by acting finance minister Pranab Mukherjee here Monday: Deepak Parekh, chairman, HDFC Bank: Not a disappointment, I did not expect anything in the interim budget. It was never meant to be a giveaway.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee began presenting the interim budget for the next fiscal amid expectations that measures will be announced to cushion the impact of global meltdown on the Indian economy, and help revive consumer demand. The exercise began with Mukherjee reading out his budget speech in the Lok Sabha, during which he will also seek an approval to finance the government's expenditure, till such time the regular budget is presented by a new government after elections, and passed by parliament.

February 15th, 2009 LUCKNOW - Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Monday said the interim budget has completely ignored the interests of the common man and benefited the industrialists. 'The budget offers nothing for common people.

February 15th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Reacting to criticisms over lack of measures in the interim budget presented Monday, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said in an election year, an incumbent government had the mandate only to present a vote on account. 'I think this is a failure to understand the limitations of an interim budget,' Ahluwalia said, soon after industry and average citizens complained that the interim budget tabled in parliament by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee had no specific measures on tax rates or to help cushion the impact of global slowdown.

February 14th, 2009 NEW DELHI - Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday went through the documents related with the interim budget that will be presented to parliament Monday, and after the approval of the house forwarded to President Pratibha Patil for her assent, as per convention. The prime minister also formally approved the speech of External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who will be presenting the interim budget to the Lok Sabha, said official sources.

February 12th, 2009 BHUBANESWAR - Orissa has been neglected in interim railway budget presented by Railways Minister Lalu Prasad in Parliament Friday, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said here. 'I am disappointed as Orissa has been neglected,' Patnaik told reporters here, adding that only one new express train was proposed to be introduced in the state in 2009-2010.

February 12th, 2009 RAIPUR - The interim railway budget presented Friday by Railways Minister Lalu Prasad has let down expectations of Chhattisgarh despite the fact that the state generates high revenue for the railways, Chief minister Raman Singh said here. 'The interim rail budget is disappointing, it has let down expectations of millions of people of Chhattisgarh,' said Singh in his reaction to the interim budget.

February 12th, 2009 KOLKATA - The interim railway budget presented by Railways Minister Lalu Prasad in the Lok Sabha Friday could not match the expectations of the business community here, which is reeling under the impact of global economic slowdown. 'Though there are many positive proposals, there was no reduction in trade rates, which could have helped industry and trade in times of economic recession,' Sanjay Budhia, president of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told IANS.