Arun Jaitley Presents Budget, Says "There's Premium On Honesty"

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is presenting in parliament the government's last full-year budget before the 2019 general elections. Mr Jaitley, speaking both in English and Hindi, began his speech by listing the government's key achievements, stating that "there is now a premium on honesty." This year's budget, he said, will focus on consolidation and agriculture, infrastructure and healthcare. The budget is being watched keenly for how the government balances its need to reach out to voters ahead of eight state elections and the national election, with keeping investors' confidence by being seen to contain the fiscal deficit and also increasing spending in key areas of a slowing economy.