Who is part of Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ for Budget 2026?
As the nation awaits the unveiling of Budget 2026, the anticipation is palpable. The Union Budget, which is set to be presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is a highly anticipated event that has the potential to shape the country’s economic trajectory. Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated officials has been working tirelessly to draft the budget, and this team is often referred to as Sitharaman’s ‘war room’. But who are the individuals who make up this team, and what roles do they play in shaping the country’s economic policies?
At the helm of the ‘war room’ is Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who has been instrumental in drafting the Budget 2026. Thakur, a seasoned bureaucrat, brings a wealth of experience to the table, having worked in various capacities within the government. Her expertise in economic affairs has been invaluable in shaping the budget, and her leadership has been praised by her peers.
Another key member of the team is Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who has been responsible for overseeing the revenue projections and estimates for the budget. Srivastava’s experience in taxation and revenue collection has been crucial in ensuring that the budget is fiscally responsible and aligned with the government’s economic goals.
Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam is also an integral part of the team, responsible for overseeing the allocation of funds to various ministries and departments. Vualnam’s expertise in public finance and expenditure management has been essential in ensuring that the budget is allocated efficiently and effectively.
Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is another important member of the team, responsible for overseeing the financial sector and ensuring that the budget is aligned with the government’s financial inclusion goals. Nagaraju’s experience in banking and finance has been invaluable in shaping the budget’s financial sector provisions.
In addition to these officials, DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai, and Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran are also part of the ‘war room’ team. Chawla’s expertise in disinvestment and public asset management has been crucial in shaping the budget’s disinvestment strategy, while Chalai’s experience in public enterprises has been essential in ensuring that the budget is aligned with the government’s objectives for state-owned enterprises. Nageswaran, as the CEA, provides critical economic analysis and advice to the team, helping to shape the budget’s economic provisions.
The ‘war room’ team has been working tirelessly to ensure that the budget is comprehensive, well-researched, and aligned with the government’s economic goals. The team’s efforts are focused on creating a budget that promotes economic growth, job creation, and financial inclusion, while also ensuring that the country’s fiscal deficit is kept under control.
As the budget is set to be presented, there is a sense of anticipation and expectation among the public. The ‘war room’ team, led by Sitharaman, has been working behind the scenes to create a budget that will shape the country’s economic future. With their collective expertise and experience, the team is well-equipped to create a budget that will meet the challenges facing the country and promote economic prosperity.
In conclusion, the ‘war room’ team, consisting of Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam, Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai, and CEA V Anantha Nageswaran, has been working tirelessly to draft Budget 2026. Their collective expertise and experience have been essential in shaping the budget, and their efforts will have a significant impact on the country’s economic trajectory.
News source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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