New Delhi: Finance Minister P Chidambaram today (Aug 24, 2004) appealed to the Opposition to allow a debate on the Finance Bill before it is passed by Parliament.

"I will be disappointed if Rs 4,77,000 crore is appropriated without a debate or a discussion," he told reporters outside the Parliament House.

"My sincere appeal is that the Opposition should allow a debate on the Finance Bill, participate in the debate and thereafter such a large sum of money belonging to the people of this country should be appropriated," Chidambaram said.

He regretted that the Railway Appropriation Bill was passed without discussion in Parliament.

"The Rs 40,000 crore Railway appropriation bill has been passed without discussion. It makes me feel very sad", he said. "I hope the same thing does not happen to the Finance Bill", he said.

The Finance Bill is scheduled to be taken up later this week for its passage to complete the three-stage budget exercise in the Lok Sabha.

Passage of Finance Bill is essential for giving Parliamentary approval to the tax proposals made in the budget.