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?

1. **Statement 1 is incorrect.** The Union Finance Minister presents the Annual Financial Statement (which is the Union Budget) before both Houses of Parliament. However, the Finance Minister does so on behalf of the **President**, not the Prime Minister. Article 112 mandates that the President shall cause to be laid before both Houses of Parliament the Annual Financial Statement. The President, acting on the advice of the Council of Ministers, then assigns the task of presenting the budget to the Finance Minister. 2. **Statement 2 is correct.** This is a constitutional provision mentioned in Article 113(3) of the Indian Constitution, which states: "No demand for a grant shall be made except on the recommendation of the President." This ensures executive control over the initiation of spending proposals. Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.