Who is part of Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ for Budget 2026?
As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, all eyes are on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team, who have been working tirelessly to draft a budget that will shape the country’s economic future. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of officials has been working closely with the Finance Minister to ensure that the budget is comprehensive, well-planned, and effective. This team is often referred to as the ‘war room’ for Budget 2026, and it consists of some of the most experienced and skilled officials in the finance ministry.
At the helm of the ‘war room’ is Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who has been instrumental in drafting the budget. Thakur is a seasoned bureaucrat with years of experience in economic policy-making and has played a crucial role in shaping the country’s economic agenda. Alongside Thakur is Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who has been responsible for ensuring that the budget is fiscally responsible and that revenue projections are realistic. Srivastava’s expertise in taxation and revenue collection has been invaluable in crafting a budget that balances the need for fiscal prudence with the need for economic growth.
Another key member of the ‘war room’ is Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam, who has been tasked with ensuring that the budget allocations are efficient and effective. Vualnam’s experience in public expenditure management has been critical in identifying areas where resources can be optimized, and his expertise has helped to craft a budget that prioritizes spending on key sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare. Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is also part of the team, bringing his expertise in banking and financial regulation to the table. Nagaraju’s insights have been essential in shaping the budget’s financial sector reforms, which are expected to have a significant impact on the country’s economic growth.
In addition to these officials, the ‘war room’ also includes DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, who has been responsible for drafting the budget’s disinvestment strategy. Chawla’s experience in public asset management has been critical in identifying opportunities for disinvestment, which will help to raise much-needed revenue for the government. Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai is also part of the team, bringing his expertise in public sector management to the table. Chalai’s insights have been essential in shaping the budget’s strategy for public sector enterprises, which are expected to play a key role in driving economic growth.
Lastly, the ‘war room’ includes Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran, who has been providing critical economic analysis and advice to the Finance Minister. Nageswaran’s expertise in macroeconomic policy has been invaluable in shaping the budget’s economic framework, and his insights have helped to craft a budget that is responsive to the country’s economic needs.
The ‘war room’ has been working tirelessly to ensure that the Budget 2026 is comprehensive, well-planned, and effective. The team has been meeting regularly to discuss key budget proposals, debate policy options, and refine the budget’s framework. The ‘war room’ has also been engaging with various stakeholders, including industry leaders, economists, and civil society organizations, to gather feedback and insights that can inform the budget’s policy decisions.
As the Budget 2026 approaches, all eyes will be on the Finance Minister and her team, who have worked tirelessly to craft a budget that will shape the country’s economic future. The ‘war room’ has played a critical role in drafting the budget, and their expertise, experience, and dedication have been essential in crafting a budget that is responsive to the country’s economic needs.
In conclusion, the ‘war room’ for Budget 2026 is a team of experienced and skilled officials who have been working closely with the Finance Minister to draft a comprehensive and effective budget. The team’s expertise, experience, and dedication have been essential in shaping the budget’s policy framework, and their hard work will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the country’s economic future.
News source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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