Who is part of Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ for Budget 2026?
As the country awaits the unveiling of the Union Budget 2026, speculation is rife about the key players involved in drafting the financial blueprint for the upcoming fiscal year. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ has been abuzz with activity, as a team of top officials works tirelessly to finalize the Budget. But who are the individuals who make up this crucial team?
According to sources, the ‘war room’ consists of a group of seasoned bureaucrats and economists who have been tasked with the responsibility of drafting the Budget 2026. The team is led by Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who is the main architect of the Budget. Thakur, a seasoned bureaucrat with years of experience in the finance ministry, has been instrumental in shaping the government’s economic policies.
Other key members of the team include Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam, and Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju. These officials have been working closely with Sitharaman to ensure that the Budget is aligned with the government’s overall economic vision. Srivastava, a veteran bureaucrat, has extensive experience in taxation and revenue collection, while Vualnam has been instrumental in managing the government’s expenditure. Nagaraju, on the other hand, has been playing a crucial role in shaping the government’s financial sector policies.
In addition to these officials, the ‘war room’ also includes DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai, and Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran. Chawla, who heads the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), has been working closely with the finance minister to identify and monetize the government’s assets. Chalai, who is responsible for overseeing the performance of public sector enterprises, has been providing valuable inputs on how to improve the efficiency and productivity of these entities. Nageswaran, who is the government’s chief economic adviser, has been providing critical analysis and recommendations on the Budget.
The team has been working around the clock to ensure that the Budget is comprehensive, inclusive, and growth-oriented. They have been engaging with various stakeholders, including industry leaders, economists, and civil society organizations, to gather feedback and suggestions on the Budget. The team has also been analyzing data and trends to identify areas that require focus and attention.
One of the key challenges facing the team is to balance the government’s fiscal deficit with the need to boost economic growth. The government has been struggling to contain its fiscal deficit, which has been widening due to increased expenditure on social welfare schemes and infrastructure projects. At the same time, the economy is facing a slowdown, and the government needs to provide a stimulus to boost growth.
The team is also working on ways to increase revenue collection, improve taxation, and simplify the tax regime. They are exploring new avenues for revenue generation, including the introduction of new taxes and the rationalization of existing ones. The team is also working on ways to improve the ease of doing business, simplify regulatory frameworks, and promote foreign investment.
As the Budget 2026 is set to be unveiled soon, the team is putting the final touches to the document. The Budget is expected to be a comprehensive and inclusive one, with a focus on promoting economic growth, improving the standard of living, and reducing poverty and inequality. The team has been working tirelessly to ensure that the Budget meets the expectations of the people and provides a roadmap for the country’s economic development.
In conclusion, the ‘war room’ team led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has been working diligently to draft the Budget 2026. The team consists of experienced bureaucrats and economists who have been tasked with the responsibility of shaping the government’s economic policies. As the country awaits the unveiling of the Budget, it is clear that the team has been working tirelessly to ensure that the Budget is comprehensive, inclusive, and growth-oriented.
News source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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