Extra calories

Known to be a no-nonsense legal-eagle, Chidambaram made a brief departure as he announced a package for Bihar. Members representing other states, including Orissa and Kerala, were on their feet, demanding their share in the budget. Trying to placate them, the Finance Minister raised his hand, saying, 8216;8216;Don8217;t worry, main hoon na.8217;8217; Much against themselves, the MPs couldn8217;t help smiling.

What the Dickens

The erudite Finance Minister went on to compare himself to Pip, hero of Charles Dickens8217; classic Great Expectations. 8216;8216;My redemption lies in good deeds and not in good words,8217;8217; he said, quoting the book. This, after he announced that nobody with an income of up to Rs 1 lakh will be required to pay Income Tax.

Khanduri leads chorus

Generally, the cheers and thumps for the Budget are reserved for the Treasury benches. However, BJP MP from Garhwal, Major General B.C. Khanduri, a retired Army man, made an exception. He thumped the desk along with ruling coalition members when the FM proposed to exempt from income tax the family pension received by widows, children and nominated heirs of members of the armed forces and paramilitary forces, killed in the course of operational duties.