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 of experts who have been working tirelessly to draft the budget. The team, often referred to as the “war room,” consists of top officials from various departments of the Ministry of Finance, who have been tasked with the responsibility of shaping the country’s economic future. In this article, we will take a closer look at the key members of Sitharaman’s “war room” and their roles in drafting Budget 2026.
At the helm of the “war room” is Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who has been instrumental in shaping the country’s economic policies. Thakur, a seasoned bureaucrat, has extensive experience in handling complex economic issues and has played a key role in drafting previous budgets. Her expertise in economic affairs will be crucial in shaping the budget’s economic framework.
Another key member of the team is Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who has been responsible for overseeing the country’s revenue collections. Srivastava has been working closely with the Finance Minister to identify areas where revenue can be increased and has been instrumental in drafting policies aimed at boosting tax collections. His expertise in revenue matters will be vital in shaping the budget’s tax proposals.
Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam is also part of the “war room” and has been responsible for overseeing the government’s expenditure. Vualnam has been working closely with various ministries to identify areas where expenditure can be rationalized and has been instrumental in drafting policies aimed at reducing unnecessary expenses. His expertise in expenditure matters will be crucial in shaping the budget’s expenditure framework.
Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is another key member of the team, responsible for overseeing the country’s financial sector. Nagaraju has been working closely with the Finance Minister to identify areas where the financial sector can be strengthened and has been instrumental in drafting policies aimed at promoting financial inclusion. His expertise in financial services will be vital in shaping the budget’s financial sector proposals.
In addition to these key 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.” Chawla has been responsible for overseeing the government’s disinvestment program, while Chalai has been working closely with public sector enterprises to identify areas where efficiency can be improved. Nageswaran, a renowned economist, has been providing critical inputs on the country’s economic situation and has been instrumental in shaping the budget’s economic framework.
The “war room” team has been working tirelessly to draft Budget 2026, which is expected to be presented in the Parliament soon. The team has been analyzing various economic indicators, including GDP growth, inflation, and fiscal deficit, to shape the budget’s economic framework. They have also been working closely with various stakeholders, including industry leaders, economists, and experts, to identify areas where the budget can be improved.
As the budget approaches, there is a lot of speculation about what it will contain. Will the government announce new tax proposals or will it stick to the existing tax regime? Will the government increase expenditure on key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education? These are just some of the questions that are on everyone’s mind.
One thing is certain, however – the “war room” team has been working hard to ensure that Budget 2026 is a comprehensive and well-thought-out document that addresses the country’s economic challenges. With the team’s expertise and experience, we can expect a budget that is geared towards promoting economic growth, reducing inequality, and improving the overall standard of living of the people.
In conclusion, the “war room” team, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has been working tirelessly to draft Budget 2026. The team consists of top officials from various departments of the Ministry of Finance, who have been tasked with the responsibility of shaping the country’s economic future. With their expertise and experience, we can expect a budget that is comprehensive, well-thought-out, and geared towards promoting economic growth and development.
News Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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