Cong wants FM to focus on <i>aam aadmi</i>

The Congress leadership today asked Finance Minister P Chidambaram to ensure that the benefits of the budget trickled down to the aam aadmi.

At a two-and-a-half hour pre-budget consulation meeting between the Finance Minister and Congress leaders, party spokesperson Veerappa Moily emphasised the need for a delivery mechanism through which benefits of all the programmes reached out to every part of the country and the target population.

The Congress leadership also told Chidambaram that the benefits of 9% growth could be wiped out because of the steep increase in prices.

Other highlights of the meeting included Uttar Pradesh Congress leader Rita Bahuguna Joshi's demand for a special package for the development of Bundelkhand district in UP.

"I have heard all the proposals, and will give my responses on the 29th," said Chidambaram.