Budget 2014: Finance Minister Takes Unprecedented Break During Speech

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took a break in the middle of his budget presentation because of a severe back pain and read out much of his speech sitting, an unusual departure from tradition.

The Lok Sabha adjourned briefly at 11.47 am after Mr Jaitley sought a five-minute break due to his back pain. He told Speaker Sumitra Mahajan that he wanted to rest. It is the first time that a finance minister has ever paused during his budget speech.

After the house reassembled, Mr Jaitley resumed his speech sitting.

The 61-year-politician is known to suffer from recurring backaches and is also diabetic.

A budget speech usually lasts over two hours, and finance ministers usually soldier on by shifting their weight and pausing for water.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley took a break in the middle of his budget presentation because of a severe back pain and read out much of his speech sitting, an unusual departure from tradition.

The Lok Sabha adjourned briefly at 11.47 am after Mr Jaitley sought a five-minute break due to his back pain. He told Speaker Sumitra Mahajan that he wanted to rest. It is the first time that a finance minister has ever paused during his budget speech.

After the house reassembled, Mr Jaitley resumed his speech sitting.

The 61-year-politician is known to suffer from recurring backaches and is also diabetic.

A budget speech usually lasts over two hours, and finance ministers usually soldier on by shifting their weight and pausing for water.