With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements :
1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament.
2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: While the Union Finance Minister does present the Annual Financial Statement in Parliament, it is not done 'on behalf of the Prime Minister', but the President of India. As Article 112 reads The President shall in respect of every financial year cause to be laid before both the Houses of Parliament a statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure of the Government of India for that year, in this Part, referred to as the annual financial statement. * Statement 2 is correct: At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India, as per Article 113 of the Constitution. _Note: Though, UPSC has officially given 'C' as the correct answer but according to us correct answer should be 'B'._