NEW DELHI, May 1: Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral today indicated that his government might make certain amendments in the 1997-98 Union Budget which will be taken up for discussion in Parliament next week.

Making this observation in an interview with Doordarshan broadcast tonight, Gujral said an all-party meeting would be called before the passage of the Finance and Appropriation Bills and ``corrective'' measures will be taken accordingly and certain provisions modified, if necessary.

Stressing the need for bold economic decisions, he expressed concern over the high fiscal deficit (over Rs 50,000 crore) but said that the decision shoud be taken in such manner that it would have minimal effect on common people.

He indicated that there may be revision in petroleum prices as the government could not allow the ``swelling deficit on oil pool account.'' He observed that at times, there was need to take bold steps, which may appear unpopular.

The Prime Minister said that a dynamic public distribution system is needed for the country keeping in mind the demand from the poor sections. ``The government will provide subsidy to meet the demands of the poor,'' he stressed.

Reiterating his earlier stand, Gujral said economic reforms would continue and the goverment would ensure a higher growth rate of eight per cent from seven per cent projected earlier.

On the question of public sector undertakings, the Prime Minister said the PSUs have to be looked at separately and protection should be given to this sector.

The Prime Minister was very hopeful that direct foreign investment in the current year could rise to three billion dollars from billion dollars in the past three years.

P Chidambaram, who returned to the Union Cabinet today, said he would try to convince the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Left parties not to press for cut motions in the 1997-98 Union Budget.``I will try to convince them not to press for cut motions,'' he told reporters here soon after being sworn-in as Cabinet Minister.

However, Chidambaram said ``I am ready to accept suggestions on the budget.''Asked how he proposed to deal with the growing oil pool deficit, he quipped: ``It is for the Petroleum Minister to decide.''

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.