NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the first budget of the third NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 11 am today. The finance minister has reached the parliament for that.

Ahead of the budget presentation, Nirmala Sitharaman met President Draupadi Murmu and took approval. The President welcomed the finance minister who served Dahi-Cheeni. Dahi-cheeni is a sweet made with curd and jaggery on special days. It is believed in North India that anything that starts with eating it will bring good luck and prosperity.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will join C D Deshmukh in presenting the highest number of consecutive budgets (seven) in independent India with today's complete budget. Plans to reach the goal of being a developed country in 2047 may be included in the budget. It is expected that there will be projects in the budget that will help the growth of the employment sector and the growth of the industrial sector.

Kerala is waiting for big announcements in the field of tourism. Union Minister of State for Tourism Suresh Gopi has proposed a tourism circuit project extending from Nagapattinam Church to Thrissur Lourdes Church. The Union Minister said that Velankanni, Mangaladevi, Malayathur, Kaladi, Kodungallur etc will be included in the project. So, the tourism sector is expecting a new revival in the budget.

The development of Guruvayur temple has been included in Amrit project. Special projects for the development of Sabarimala. A pilgrimage tourism circuit between Kodungallur Cheraman Juma Masjid, Vadakkunath Temple and Palayoor Church is also the hope of Kerala.

Major expectations of Kerala
• Kerala, which is experiencing severe financial difficulties, is expecting a financial package. Money is needed to clear the arrears and provide infrastructure for Vizhinjam port. The package needs to improve power supply systems for national highways and road development, acquire land for industries and build railway lines.

• Permission required for Silverline and AIIMS.

• A special package of Rs 24,000 crore is needed to overcome the crisis.

• Railways got only flyovers and renovation of Amrit station last year. This time, Kerala is expecting approval for the third line, signal upgrade, Angamali-Sabari line, curving projects, Nemam terminal and K Rail.

• Rubber farmers say they cannot go ahead without support price. At least Rs 200 is required.