In a first, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, on Monday , responds to citizens' questions on the Union Budget 2013-14 by joining a multi-party video conference on Google+ Hangout.
What the FM said:
On the Union Budget:
Given the restricted economic space, i think we did what could be done.
On funds allocated to women's safety and empowerment:
- Ideas have to be fleshed-out.
- Rs1000 crore was put away for this purpose; will work with ministries, departments, NGOS to find out how the money will be used to ensure the security of women.
- A lot of homework was done on women's bank. There will be six HQs in six regions of India. The bank will be inaugurated by November.
- We want to take preparatory steps by March-early April.
On whether the Budget was a 'Big Bang' one:
- There's no Big Bang anywhere in the world, we can't invent one. we're trying to stabilise the economy.
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These big bangs may make for good theatre, there is really no big bang.
On the absence of 'theatre' in Budget speech: - Have lined up list of companies to be disinvested. We will raise Rs40,00 crore. It's a work in progress.
- First disinvestment in April.
- Find out what else the FM had to say by clicking on the image below to access a live feed:
Chidambaram is joined by a group of esteemed panelists on a Google+ Hangout. It includes among others Jahangir Aziz, Senior Asia Economist and India Chief Economist, JP Morgan, Anand Mahindra, Chairman and Managing Director of Mahindra & Mahindra, Amit Singhal, Senior Vice President, Google Inc. and Manish Chokhani, MD & CEO, Axis Capital.
The session is moderated by senior journalist Senthil Chengalvarayan.
Chidambaram responds to citizens who submited their questions to either by uploading a video or commenting on the YouTube channel, or through the Google India +Page and tagging text or a video with the hashtag #asktheFM.
This is a powerful communications platform and is accessible across the world for internet users. Google+ Hangouts allow up to 10 people participating at a point of time. One can later share the hangout on YouTube or live stream it using Hangouts on Air.
Citizens will be able to watch the special budget Google+ Hangout live through the Google India +Page at google.com/+GoogleIndia or on the InConversation YouTube channel.
