Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha said last week that the government will present the Union Budget for 2016-17 on February 29. Sinha's announcement was met with surprise by senior ministers and bureaucrats, particularly those associated with the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry.
While the date of presenting the Union Budget is no secret as it is traditionally presented on the last working day of February, the announcement is made only after the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs meets and takes a decision, followed by customary consultations with the Lok Sabha Speaker and the House Business Advisory Committee.
It also decides on the dates for tabling of the Economic Survey and presentation of the Rail Budget. Many in the government wondered why Sinha jumped the gun in announcing the Budget date, but attributed it to the minister's inexperience.
