Opposition members protest amid Budget presentation

Press Trust of India  |  New Delhi 

The nearly 100-minute presentation of the NDA government's final Budget Friday intermittently witnessed noisy protests from opposition members and a spirited reaction from Treasury benches regularly thumping their desks.

They also sought to raise concerns over reports about the unemployment rate. At times, some Left members too were seen protesting at their seats.

Opposition parties, including the and the Left, alleged that proposals of the interim budget were leaked to the media even before the document was presented in the House.

Some members held placards of reports about unemployment figures.

members raised slogans demanding special status for

When Piyush Goyal, in his budget speech, said the government aims to double the income of farmers, opposition members jeered.

Members from the Treasury benches thumped desks to drown the protests by the opposition.

During the presentation, member walked up to Goyal and placed a sheet of paper, probably an article about unemployment rate, on his desk. He also kept a sheet of paper at Narendra Modi's desk.

Populist announcements, including some income tax exemption for the salaried class and direct cash transfer to farmers, elicited loud cheers from ruling members who chanted 'Modi Modi'.

Congress was seen leaving the House during the Budget presentation. This prompted members to launch an attack on him, saying 'Rahul baba bhag gaye'.

The Congress returned to his seat after some time.

Rajesh Ranjan, an from Bihar, stood in the Well of the House with a few sheets of papers in his hands.

After the presentation, Goyal turned towards Modi with folded hands. Soon after, a smiling Modi walked up to Goyal and patted him on his back.

Lok Sabha M Thambidurai, and former J&K Farooq Abdullah, were among those not present in the House.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Fri, February 01 2019. 13:50 IST