MUMBAI: The mood is palpable for its nervousness and the whole nation seems to be reaching into their pockets, wondering whether they will have more to spare this time round. But there is only one man who can tell us so… he is the Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram who will play pied piper to a nation of a billion souls on Budget Day. A close second is the Union Rail Minister, the unflappable Mr. Lalu Prasad Yadav, who will decide whether our daily and seasonal commutes get any easier.
But fear not, STAR Budget 2007 presented by STAR News will unravel the mysteries of this most elaborate of annual exercises with half-a-dozen unique programmes, which make plain the intricacies and impact of the Budget on the people.
STAR News rolls out riveting programming which promises to offer the viewer a voice, while unraveling the implications of Budget 2006-07 for the common man. Under the umbrella brand, 'STAR Budget 2007', starting 27 January the specials will continue to air until 28 February and will conclude with the LIVE telecast of the Union Budget 2006-07. STAR News' budget specials will present the essence of the budget while translating it into the impact on the common man. The lavish spread includes:
Fund Ka Funda Aapke Shahar Mein: STAR News' financial experts will traverse the length and breadth of the country to answer people's queries on investments and offer financial advice. This series will air between 12th and 25th February and feature in segments throughout the day.
Kyunki Yeh Meri Jeb Hai: This is a unique programme wherein the aam junta of the country gets a platform to voice their concerns, expectations and suggestions to the Finance Minister and the Rail Minister on the Budget. Viewers can post their suggestions through emails to budget@starnews.co.in or by SMSing their wish list to 7827 by typing BGT, followed by a space and then the message. This segment will air four times a day and feature between the 27th January and 9th February.
Budget Batein: Leading up to the formidable Budget D-day, STAR News will capture the buzz surrounding the Budget with this feature, which will air between the 5th and the 24th of February
Jaag Uthe Armaan: Airing between the 5th and 24th of February, this brief segment will air thrice a day and will look at Budget expectations and reactions through the eyes of personalities from the business world to the film and tele world and other head honchos of the corporate world.
Hassi Par Tax Nahi: Because every serious discussion must necessarily have a lighter side to it, STAR Budget 2007 will also feature the take of the top comedians of India on the Union Budget. Given the fast expanding inclusion of services and products in the tax bracket, we are not expecting a cess on laughter however this year, so laugh aplenty with us! This too will air between the 5th and 24th of February
North Block Ka Rahasya: Because the Budget-day speech is merely the final presentation of an elaborate process, STAR News will go behind the scenes into the making of the Union Budget - the procedures, preparations, security cordon - and present it as 2 half-hour features airing it in the first week of February.
Karlo Duniya Muthi Mein: STAR News will offer a unique LIVE translation of the Finance minister's Budget speech over the duration of the entire speech on the 28th of February.
STAR Budget 2007 presented by STAR News will be your guide through the twists and turns of a busy Budget season, so that the mystery is removed and facts made plain, because the people of this country deserve to know! To stay ahead of the game with comprehensive coverage of Budget 2006-07 and an opportunity to voice your opinion and make it heard, watch 'STAR Budget 2007', an exclusive STAR News presentation, from 1st to 28th of Feb.
