Union Budget is expected to be presented on February 26 against the convention of tabling it in the lower house of parliament on the last day of February. The message in this regard has been conveyed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The budget is usually presented on the last day of February but it is not possible on February 28 due to Sunday and also not on February 27 on account of public holiday on the birthday of Prophet Mohammad.

Government doesnt intend to turn February 27 as a special working day of Parliament and to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslim community. Mukherjee also wants a positive and quick reaction from the stock market on the following Monday.

Mukherjee, speaking to media after holding a meeting with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal to work out budget time table, expressed, We are living in a globalised economy. So we should try to present the Budget on a day when the stock market is open.