The
spotlight on Monday was entirely focused on Nirmala Sitharaman as she unveiled
her ‘never like before’ budget 2021 in the parliament, but the highlight of the day was
when the finance minister took a stand for a lady journalist, who was stopped for asking an extra question during the post-Budget press briefing.

The incident happened when Sitharaman was addressing the media after budget presentation and a journalist from The Economic Times sought permission to ask two questions but was denied by the press team. 

Notably, several journalists, mostly men had asked her more than a single question.

Also Read: From Income Tax, aviation to defence, what was left untouched in Nirmala Sitharaman’s Budget speech

Sitharaman, who by this time had already entertained several media queries intervened and asked her team member why didn’t they stop the male reporters from asking extra questions.

“Why do you say that only to her? You didn’t stop the guys,” the finance minister said.

Sitaraman’s bold remarks drew chuckles from media personnel and her colleagues present at the conference. The ET journalist thanked the finance minister for her support before asking the question.

The post budget media briefing was streamed live on the YouTube channel of Press Information Bureau. Check out the interaction here.

However, the finance minister gave fascinating insights on the annual budget which came at a crucial time when India’s economy is battered by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will contract by 7.7% in FY 2020-21, according to the government’s estimate earlier this month.