Bihar govt presents a tax free and balanced budget

Patna, Feb 27 (UNI) Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who also holds the finance portfolio, today presented a tax free budget showing no deficit at the end of 2007-08 fiscal.

Laying special attention on the state's overall infrastructural development, Mr Modi tabled a 'balanced' and full budget of Rs 33257.08 crore for the fiscal amid pandemonium by the opposition in the Assembly.

Instead of staging a walkout, the opposition members strategically remained in the House and created cacophony throughout the budgetary speech of Mr Modi.

Later in post-lunch session of Budget, RJD member Ramchandra Purvey tried to draw the attention of the House towards the statements made by Vishwa Hindu Parishad International president Praveen Togadia during his visit to the state.

He said the VHP leader was trying to 'disturb' the communal fabric of the society by making controversial statements and demanded his immediate arrest.

Meanwhile, Mr Modi began his budgetary presentation, to which the RJD members joined by the members of Congress and other opposition parties protested shouting anti-government slogans and thumping the government reporter's desk.

Despite disturbances, Mr Modi presented the budget laid special emphasis on improving the infrastructure like roads, power, education and health.

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