Union Budget to be presented after elections in five states

The Union Budget will be presented after the completion of elections in five states.

The Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said in New Delhi that final dates will be announced after due consultations.

He was replying to a query on the likely date for presentation of the Budget.

The general budget is usually presented on the last day of February every year.

AIR correspondent reports that as per the schedule worked out by the Election Commission, last polling will take place on the 3rd of March in Goa and counting of votes will begin on 4th March.

Mr. Mukherjee will hold brainstorming sessions with various stakeholders during his annual pre-budget meetings beginning on 11th of this month.

The first meeting would be held with agriculturalists, followed by a series of interactions with sectoral experts, representatives, industry captains and economists over the next ten days to get their feedback and inputs for incorporating them in the Budget 2012-13.