New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is expected to balance the needs of the economy and fiscal constraints in her maiden Budget. In the process, some believe that she may give relief to the common man by raising personal income tax threshold for certain categories, while on the other hand, increasing expenditure on agriculture, healthcare and social sectors. Infrastructure is also expected to be a key sector for big push by the government.
Here are some powerful finance ministers from the past and their key proposals in their respective budgets.
A quick look on past Budgets
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Former PM and first woman finance minister Indira Gandhi presented the 1971-77 Budget, which focused on improving employment | Special arrangement | ThePrint
Former PM and first woman finance minister Indira Gandhi presented the 1971-77 Budget, which focused on improving employment | ThePrint arrangement 
V.P. Singh | Special arrangement | ThePrint
V.P. Singh presented the 1985-86 Budget, which introduced a credit system for duty to be paid on raw materials rather than final products | Special arrangement | ThePrint 
Manmohan Singh in his office after presenting the historic 1991 Budget | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint
Manmohan Singh after presenting historic 1991 budget that liberalised the Indian economy | Photo: Praveen Jain | ThePrint 
In 2000, Yashwant Sinha phased out tax incentives for software exporters implemented by Manmohan Singh | Photo: ThePrint arrangement
In 2000, Yashwant Sinha phased out tax incentives for software exporters implemented by Manmohan Singh | Photo: ThePrint arrangement 
Pranab Mukherjee presented the 2010-11 Budget in which he introduced 20 per cent income tax for income between Rs 5-8 lakh | ThePrint
Pranab Mukherjee presented the 2010-11 Budget in which he introduced 20 per cent income tax for income between Rs 5-8 lakh | ThePrint

P. Chidambaram presented 2013 -14 Budget. The UPA Budget gave tax credit of Rs 2,000 for income up to Rs 5 lakh | ThePrint
P. Chidambaram presented 2013 -14 Budget. The UPA Budget gave tax credit of Rs 2, 000 for income upto Rs 5 lakh | | ThePrint
Sir,
The news report about Son brings water for his mother Sonia Gandhi who had joined in the protest called by the opposition party after she stood in the hot blazing sun in the Capital city of Delhi was really very touchy news. That this lady who is of a foreign nature & the wife of a well known & famous Ex Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, clearly proves how loyal and sincere she is towards this country even though she is not physically fit herself. To think that she is so loyal to the Congress party & held top posts in this party should be much appreciated by all the citizens of this country. We wish her all good luck & Good health.
Alex Coelho
All are 2 penny socialist duds. 1991 capitalist budget was due to IMF requirements imposed on bankrupt socialist Bharat. So Keynesian quack Manmohan Singh is just like any other wastrel.