
Budget 2018: Arun Jaitley is delivering the Budget speech in both Hindi and English
Highlights
- First time any Finance Minister is delivering Budget in English and Hindi
- Hindi in Budget speech aimed to connect with rural population: officials
- This is Mr Jaitley's last full budget before next year's general election
He is known to be equally adept at both the languages, having been the ruling BJP's spokesperson both in and outside the government.
This is Mr Jaitley's last full budget before next year's general election.
Officials say the debut of Hindi in the Budget speech is aimed at establishing a greater connect with rural population, with the government stressing on a boost for farmers, rural poor and small business.
Assembly polls are due in eight states, including three ruled by the BJP, before the general election.
Mr Jaitley had emphasized that the agriculture sector would be the top priority for the government to address farmer distress ahead of the elections.