Union Budget to be presented on February 29

New Delhi: The Union Budget 2008-09 is expected to be presented on February 29, this being a leap year.

The three-month long session is likely to begin on February 25, Government sources said.

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has already started pre-budget consultations with various experts.

He has so far met representatives of farmers, industrialists and economists. He is now expected to meet the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council, headed by C Rangarajan.

There are expectations among political parties, including those in the ruling alliance that the Finance Minister would attempt to please various sections of the society, especially the salaried class.

This will probably be the last full budget of the UPA Government and therefore the Congress-led coalition is expected to go the extra mile to woo all sections by announcing populist measures.