New Delhi, February 1: The Union government led by Bharatiya Janata Party is presenting the last budget before the Lok Sabha elections, scheduled in a couple of months. Given the charge to present the Interim Budget, Union Minister Piyush Goyal began his Budget speech by wishing the speedy recovery of his Cabinet colleague Arjun Jaitley - getting treatment in the United States of America.

With the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley undergoing a medical check-up relating to his kidney ailment, Union Minister Piyush Goyal has been given the charge to present the Interim Budget. Budget 2019 Live News Updates: Direct Income Support For Farmers Announced in Interim Budget.

Earlier, the BJP government had stated that Jaitley would return back to the country by January end, to present the Budget Session. However, with the treatment taking a longer time, Goyal was made the Interim Finance Minister. Goyal took charge previously when Jaitley went to the USA for renal transplant surgery in May 2018.

Jaitley before leaving for his medical check-up took part in the ‘Halwa’ making ceremony in the national capital and had stated that this year’s Budget would be a remarkable one. Being the final Budget before Lok Sabha elections, a lot is expected from the Union government.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 01, 2019 11:34 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).