Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said that the date for presenting the Union Budget on February 1 was decided much in advance of the Election Commission's announcement of schedule for assembly elections.<br/><br/>He dismissed Opposition allegation that<br/>the Budget was scheduled keeping in view the state elections.<br/><br/>Mr Jaitley said in Amritsar that there was a practice to present the budget on February 28 but this year it will be presented on February 1. <br/><br/>The Minister said that the idea is to pass the Finance Bill by March 31, so that next year's expenses could be started from April 1.