NEW DELHI: Quick. What’s Finance Minister’s favourite number? Pranab Mukherjee has set aside `300 crore to boost palm oil production in the coming year. A scheme to help vegetable farmers will cost `300 crore. Another `300 crore will go into encouraging farmers grow nutria-cereals like ragi and millets.
A National Mission for Protein Supplements will be launched. Cost to the Exchequer? `300 crore, of course. Ditto, for a programme for growing fodder.
“Hon’ble members may be curious to know why all these initiatives are being launched with an allocation of `300 cr. Well, the number 3 happens to be my lucky number,” Mukherjee joked. Later, he also went on to announce a programme to bring e-stamping over all districts. Timeline: 3 years. Cost- `300 cr.
Just in case invoking the power of three doesn’t bring in the results, he is also counting on some divine intervention. Lord Indra, the rain god, figured in his speech as Mukherjee stressed the importance of good rainfall if his plan was not to go awry. “I will pray also to Goddess Lakshmi,’’ he said, referring to the deity of wealth. “I think it’s good strategy to diversify risks.’’
There weren’t too many disruptions during his address on Monday. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared to be making copious notes, something which intrigued Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. When he inquired, she held up a piece of paper.
Mukherjee forgot to read two paragraphs and had to seek Speaker’s permission. He explained that the lapse took place because he was “anxious to finish in time.’’ Still, the speech was taxingly long - an hour and 50 minutes. Thankfully, the minister resisted the temptation to stretch it to three ‘lucky’ hours.