FM to reply to Budget debate at 1615 hrs

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today announced in the Lok Sabha that Finance Minister P Chidambaram would reply to the debate on Budget 2008-09 at 1615 hrs.

The time was announced after the House agreed to a suggestion that the debate on the Budget be resumed immediately after Question Hour, doing away with most part of the Zero Hour.

External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who is also leader of the House, suggested that the reply may take place at 1615 hrs to which the House agreed.

The timing was agreed upon after BJP Deputy Leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra wanted to know the time for the reply so that his party members could be present in the House in full strength.

UNI SN Mir VC1309