New Delhi, Feb 26 (ANI): Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presented the General Budget for 2010-2011 in Parliament on Friday with an assurance that the worst was over for the Indian economy and the days ahead were promising despite being full of challenges.

Mukherjee said, "Today, as I stand before you, I can say with some confidence that we have weathered this crisis well."

"That is not to say that the challenges today are any less than they were nine months ago, when the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was voted back to power under the leadership of Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," added Mukherjee.

Mukherjee claimed the three challenges that were listed last year remained relevant even today. The challenge of quickly reverting to a high growth rate of 9 percent and cross over to double-digit expansion; making growth more inclusive and developing infrastructure in rural areas; and strengthening food security.

The General Budget this year has come against the backdrop of the Economic Survey for 2009-2010, speculating that in the next four years the growth rate could be in double digits and the country would emerge as the fastest growing economy in the world.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) index benchmark Sensex on Friday showed a gain of 93.52 points as Mukherjee began his budget speech. The BSE closed on Thursday at 16,254.2 points, while today it has reached 16,347.72 points.

Today's budget presented by Mukherjee is the fourth budget being presented by him as the Finance Minister of the country and the second for the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government after being voted back to power in May 2009. (ANI)