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Chidambaram irritated at being named during presentation

Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha's reference, time and again, to certain members of the opposition led to a protest by former finance minister P Chidambaram.

Irritated, Chidambaram wondered why his name was being repeatedly invoked.

Sinha had referred to his predecessor while talking about the fiscal deficit and foreign reserves.

Later, he wanted Congress member Rajesh Pilot to "take note" when he referred to agricultural credit, and said former speaker Purno A Sangma would be happy to learn about the creation of the Central Road Fund.

He also wanted former information and broadcasting minister S Jaipal Reddy to note the concessions to the information industry, including cinema.

Later, when referring to the capital markets, Sinha hoped the Bombay Stock Exchange "is listening".

Declaring, "Our motto: putting India first", Sinha raised a clenched fist.

Perhaps because the Budget was presented on a Saturday and just before the Holi break, there were many vacant rows in the members' galleries. But the gallery for Rajya Sabha members on the first floor was full, as were the speaker's, press and public galleries.

UNI

Budget 1999-2000

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