Budget should reflect priorities outlined by President: PM to Finance Ministry

PM Manmohan Singh today asked the Finance Ministry to ensure that the next Union budget "adequately and appropriately" reflected the priorities and programmes outlined in the President's address to the joint session of Parliament. HT reports.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday asked the Finance Ministry to ensure that the next Union budget "adequately and appropriately" reflected the priorities and programmes outlined in the President's address to the joint session of Parliament.

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President Pratibha Patil in her address to Parliament had focussed on cheap rice for the poor, large-scale expenditure on developing ports, airports, and roads, housing schemes for the poor and enhanced telephone access in rural areas.

The proposed rise in infrastructure enhancement to upgrade roads, highways, ports and airports in the coming five years for example would require an investment of at least Rs 23 lakh crore or $ 500 billion.