Sitharaman, who had increased central excise duty on petrol and diesel by a record margin last year to mop up gains arising from international oil prices plunging to a two-decade low, remained non-committal on taking the first step to cut central taxes to give relief to consumers.

Petrol and diesel prices have increased sharply in the country over a period of time. In some cities, the price has reached Rs 100 per litre.

​Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday got candid about her life, at an interactive session hosted by Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC).

As petrol price in some cities in India crosses Rs 100 per litre, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday while responding to rising fuel prices in the country said it is an issue in which no answer except for fall in fuel price will convince anyone.

Sitharaman said that she has provided long-term certainty with the short-term stimulus in her budget.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting Budget 2021-22 earlier this month had announced privatisation of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) as part of disinvestment drive to garner Rs 1.

Fiscal deficit -- the excess of government expenditure over its revenues -- is estimated to hit a record high of 9.5 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in the current fiscal ending March 31 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi's speech on Thursday, during which he talked about farm laws but declined to speak on the Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "he is probably becoming a doomsday man for India."

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reiterated that India's approach to the COVID-19 resulted in a retraction in the pandemic.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said a challenging situation like the pandemic didn't deter the government from taking up reforms that are going to be necessary for sustaining long term growth for the country to boost the economy.

For today's session, the ruling BJP had directed all its members to be present in the House on Saturday, party sources said.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will reply to the Budget discussion in Lok Sabha (Lower House) of the Parliament at 10 am on Saturday. Earlier on Friday, the Finance Minister said Union Budget for FY21-22 attempts at providing stimulus to the economy.

Nirmala Sitharaman said that it has now become a habit for some in the opposition to create a false narrative that the government only works for cronies.   

On Monday, Navya Naveli Nanda took to her Instagram stories and shared a video of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharam's press conference.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday said the government will work with the Reserve Bank for execution of the bank privatisation plan announced in the budget. 

A tax holiday is an incentive program run by the government. It helps to stimulate foreign investment by reducing taxes on businesses. The objective is to encourage economic activity and foster growth.

Smriti Irani said that the Budget should not be seen from a narrow point of view and sought to know why the Opposition is complaining when the Budget has not put any new burden on the aam aadmi.

The Modi government has announced a cut in the import duty on gold and silver, a move welcomed by the industry as it will bring down prices of precious metals in the domestic market and boost exports of gems and jewellery.

Bad Bank will seek to provide financial stability in the banking sector. It will hold problem loans for public sector banks which can then be sold on to investors at a reduced price. This will ultimately help clean up the balance sheets of banks.

Despite COVID-19 pandemic, the Modi government ensured that students don't lose their academic year, Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said.