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SV PAN Mrs. Gandhi out of car and into building
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SV Members of Parliament arriving (2 shots)
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GV Mounted guard leading in coach carrying Ahmed
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MV Coach pulls up outside building
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MV Guard and soldier playing fanfare
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MV PAN Ahmed escorted by vice President and speaker walking towards central hall
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Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: India's President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Monday (17 February) opened the joint budget session of Parliament in New Delhi-despite a boycott by several of the country's opposition parties.

I was the first time that the President had addressed both houses of Parliament.

The boycott-which did not include the Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi's Congress Party- followed allegations of government malpractice in allocating import licences to a number of firms.

The President did not mention the scandal in his opening speech but the government would introduce legislation to eliminate corruption and undertake educational and electoral reforms.

He added that the government's move against inflation were showing results but there had been big rises in price for oil, food and fertilisers.

The government's plans for 1975-76 include more investment in agricultures, irrigation, fertilisers, power and steel.