Hinting at new economic measures ahead of the Budget, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Monday said that the roadmap for his government would be to pump in massive investment in agriculture and manufacturing to sustain growth momentum while reducing fiscal deficit.

"Continuity is pretty clear as we are going back to the original reforms of Manmohan Singh. We have been out of office but now we have come back with experience. We would factor in the experience to carry forward the reforms," Chidambaram said in his maiden press conference after assuming office.

He said the Budget session was expected to start after a short session of Parliament (June 2-10), followed by a short recess. This was a matter of details which would be worked out by the Parliamentary Affairs ministry, as the budget has to be presented before July 31.

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"There will be a full budget and no vote-on-account," he said, adding that the government could announce new measures ahead of the Budget.

Admitting that fiscal deficit was an 'area of concern,' Chidambaram said careful attention will be given to fiscal consolidation, and the roadmap laid out by the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act would be 'honoured.'

Fiscal deficit was estimated to be 4.8 per cent of the GDP in 2003-04, which was targeted to be lower at 4.4 per cent in 2004-05 by the NDA government.

Outlining the priorities for the budget, he said continuation of growth momentum calls for massive investment in agriculture and manufacturing and ensuring more jobs.

"Economy is in a resilient mode in terms of growth, inflation and balance of payments. I am confident that there is scope for consolidation of growth momentum with special emphasis on agriculture, manufacturing and employment," Chidambaram said.

To maintain the growth momentum, he said there was a need for massive investment, both public and private. "My endeavour will be to promote massive investment as it was key to growth," he said.

Asked how he would meet the twin objective of stepping up investment and containing fiscal deficit, he said: "I don't think they are coincidable options."

"All economies which want to promote growth, will have to increase public investments and private investments. We will find money for public investment and still abide by the Fiscal Responsibility Act."

The FRBM provides a roadmap that makes it possible to achieve both the objectives, he said.