The Left-leaning Congress-led UPA government pledged in its Budget to encourage investment to maintain strong economic growth and cut the fiscal deficit.

The finance minister announced many schemes on basic education, clean drinking water, medical facilities and infrastructure. The government will levy a 2 per cent surcharge to help fund education.

"The key to growth is investment -- public and private, domestic and foreign," he said.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram's wife Nalini accompanied by her daughter-in-law Srinidhi Kartik entering Parliament to listen to the Budget presentation speech of the finance minister.

Photo: Ranjan Basu/ Saab Press

Budget 2004-05: Complete Coverage