New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has concluded her Budget 2021-22 speech and is expected to address mediapersons in a post-budget briefing at 1500 hrs this afternoon.

This was the first Budget to be presented amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic which has created havoc both on health and wealth. All sectors of the economy have been severely affected by the pandemic.

The Finance Minister, in her Budget speech which lasted for of 1 hour and 49 minutes, announced a slew of measures to extend relief to various sectors that have been hit hard by the pandemic.

Last year, in February 2020, she broke record by delivering the longest Budget speech by any Finance Minister. She spoke for 2 hours and 42 minutes at that time and also fell unwell amidst her address.

As the Finance Minister concluded her third budget presentation, markets showed a positive growth with Sensex rallying over 1,600 points and Nifty surging 462.5 points to trade above the 14,000-mark.

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