New Delhi: The Union Cabinet today (Jul 8, 2004) cleared the first-ever Budget of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government, minutes before its presentation in the Lok Sabha by Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

From the meeting all the ministers and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh went straight to the House.

Along with the Budget which is expected to unveil the road map for fiscal consolidation and tax overhaul, Chidambaram will lay on table three statements on medium fiscal policy, fiscal policy strategy and macro economic framework.