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Union Budget 2026: Did you know when the Budget went bilingual? – The Times of India

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Union Budget 2026: Did you know when the Budget went bilingual? – The Times of India


As finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman prepares to present the Union Budget for FY 2026-27 on February 1, the exercise also draws attention to how India’s most important economic document has evolved – from a colonial-era English text to a more accessible public instrument.

Colonial origins of the Budget

India’s first Union Budget was presented on April 7, 1860, by James Wilson, the finance member of the Indian Council and founder of The Economist. Drafted entirely in English, the Budget reflected the priorities of the British administration and was aimed at a limited, English-speaking audience.

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Post-Independence transition

After Independence, the budgetary process began to take a more indigenous shape. The first Union Budget of independent India was tabled on November 26, 1947, by finance minister RK Shanmukham Chetty, marking a shift from colonial fiscal practices to national economic planning.

1955: When Hindi entered the Budget

A major milestone came in 1955 under then finance minister CD Deshmukh, when the Union Budget was printed in both English and Hindi for the first time, according to ICAI. The move reflected a growing recognition that key policy documents needed to reach a broader cross-section of citizens and not remain confined to a narrow administrative elite.During his tenure, Deshmukh played a key role in strengthening India’s financial institutions. He helped establish the Reserve Bank of India as a strong monetary authority and was closely associated with the formulation of India’s first Five-Year Plans, which laid the foundation for industrial growth and infrastructure development.

From print to paperless

The Budget’s evolution has continued in recent years. Nirmala Sitharaman, who has presented the Budget since 2019, introduced India’s first paperless Budget in 2021, delivering it on a digital tablet carried in a traditional bahi-khata style pouch.She is set to present her ninth consecutive Budget on February 1, the second most number by any finance minister, just behind former PM Morarji Desai. From its colonial beginnings to linguistic inclusion and digital presentation, the Union Budget’s journey mirrors broader changes in governance and public communication in India.



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Co-op boss quits after ‘toxic culture’ claims reported by BBC

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Co-op boss quits after ‘toxic culture’ claims reported by BBC


Co-op chair Debbie White said: “We thank Shirine for her leadership and for the significant contribution she has made to our Co-op, to our communities and to the co-operative movement during her tenure. The Board is grateful for her commitment and leadership, particularly during a challenging few years, and we wish her every success in the future.”



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Airfares likely to doubled as jet fuel price aurges to Rs417 in Pakistan – SUCH TV

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Airfares likely to doubled as jet fuel price aurges to Rs417 in Pakistan – SUCH TV



Air travel is all set to become highly expensive as the airlines are indicating at doubling the air ticket prices following a whopping increase in jet fuel rate.

The jet fuel price has rocketed to Rs417 from Rs388 per litre in Pakistan and the airlines have started to increase the airfares through enhancing fuel surcharge rates.

The airlines maintained the basic fare but added the fuel price surge into the fuel surcharge.

The one-way fare from Karachi to Islamabad and Lahore has shot up to Rs40,000 while air travel on chance seats for Islamabad and Lahore has soared by 150 percent.

Accordingly, the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has boosted the airfares by 10 to 100 dollars.

Domestic flights will now carry additional $10 fuel surcharge which on Canada routes extra $100 will be received as fuel charge.

Passengers on UK-bound flights to pay 75 dollars additional surcharge while 50 dollars will be received on Middle East routes.

Private airlines have gone a step ahead as they enforced charging additional 15 dollars to 150 dollars on different routes.

The airlines were under pressure after closure of many air routes with the airlines administrations are saying that extraordinary rise in airfares has become inevitable.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan fuel NOTAM forced foreign airlines to tanker Jet A-1 fuel from abroad and limit uplift at Karachi and Lahore airports.

The Pakistan Airports Authority issued the order to protect local supplies amid supply disruptions.

Foreign carriers now arrive with enough fuel for their return flights while Pakistani airlines receive full requirements.

This change hit operations on March 25 when one Karachi-to-Doha flight diverted to Muscat.

The Pakistan fuel NOTAM A0147/26 took effect on March 13 and runs through March 31 2026. It targets Jinnah International Airport in Karachi and Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.

Airlines follow the rule and carry maximum fuel on inbound legs. Officials confirm foreign airlines get only the minimum quantity inside Pakistan.

Pakistan fuel NOTAM creates immediate changes on the ground. Foreign airlines offload passenger baggage and cargo to stay within weight limits.

The extra fuel adds weight that reduces payload capacity on every affected flight.

According to a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by the PAA, the supply of aviation fuel at domestic airports has been significantly curtailed due to regional supply chain disruptions, advising international carriers to maximize their fuel “uplift” at foreign stations and minimize refuelling within Pakistan.

The directive has already begun to impact international flight schedules.



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NS&I set to pay millions to customers over misplaced funds

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NS&I set to pay millions to customers over misplaced funds



The government-backed bank has been accused of a series of errors, including not paying bereaved families money that was rightfully theirs.



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