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India says to unveil 2000/01 budget on February 29

NEW DELHI:The Indian government willpresent the fiscal 2000/01 (April-March) federal budget to parliament on February 29, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pramod Mahajan said on Saturday.

"On 29th February at 12:00 noon, the federal budget will be presented," Mahajan told reporters after a meeting of the federal cabinet.

The Economic Survey, an annual report card of the economy, will be released on February 28, he said

Mahajan said the cabinet had requested President K.R. Narayanan to convene the budget session of parliament on February 23. This session, which would have a one-month recess, would end on May 17.

The president will address a joint meeting of the two houses of parliament on the opening day of the session on February 23.

The railway budget for 2000/01 will be presented to parliament on February 25, Mahajan said.-Reuters