Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee arrives at the Parliament to present the Union Budget 2010-2011, in New Delhi on Friday. Ministers of State for Finance S. S. Palanimanickam and Namo Narain Meena (right) are also seen in the picture. Photo: R.V Moorthy
The Government hiked the basic duty on crude and petroleum products besides effecting a one-rupee increase per litre on petrol and diesel. Photo: K. Ananthan
The budget provided considerable relief to income tax payers. It changed the slabs cutting the rate to 10 per cent for income up to Rs 5 lakh, while leaving the threshold limit for tax-free income unchanged at Rs 1.6 lakh. Photo: P. V. Sivakumar
The Government would create a National Social Security Fund for workers in the unorganised sector with an allocation of Rs.1,000 crore. Photo: K. K. Mustafah
A Draft Food Security Bill has been prepared by the Government and will be put in the public domain. Photo: PTI
The Government allocated Rs.4,500 crore for the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, a hike of 80 per cent. Photo: AP
The Finance Minister announced a fifty per cent hike in allocation for schemes for women and child development. Photo: G. Moorthy
In view of droughts and floods, debt repayment period for farmers has been extended to June 2010, the Finance Minister said. Photo: PTI
The budget allocated Rs.2,600 crore for the Ministry of Minorities Affairs. Photo: AP
Clean energy cess of Rs 50 per ton will be levied on coal produced in India, according to the Minister. Photo: AP
Pranab Mukherjee announced the implementation of new fertilizer policy from April 2010. It will lead to improved productivity and more income for farmers. Photo: K. K. Mustafah
Smokers will have to pay more as the Government announced hike in excise duty as part of a partial roll back of stimulus measures announced for reviving the economy. Photo: PTI
The budget allocated Rs.40,100 crore for the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Photo: K. K.Mustafah
Allocation on primary education raised from Rs.26,800 crore to Rs.31,300 crore. Photo: V.V Krishnan
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee with Ministers of State for Finance S. S. Palanimanickam, Namo Narain Meena and other officials before presenting the budget in the Parliament. Photo: V.V.Krishnan
A video grab shows opposition members staging a walkout during the budget speech in Lok Sabha. Photo: PTI