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, often referred to as the “war room,” has been working closely with the Finance Minister to craft a budget that addresses the nation’s economic challenges and opportunities. But who are the key players in Sitharaman’s “war room” for Budget 2026?
According to sources, the “war room” consists of a team of senior officials from various departments of the Ministry of Finance. At the helm of this team is Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who has been instrumental in drafting the Budget 2026. Thakur, a seasoned bureaucrat, has extensive experience in economic policy-making and has played a crucial role in shaping the country’s economic agenda.
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 expertise in taxation and revenue collection has been invaluable in crafting a budget that balances the need for revenue generation with the need to promote economic growth.
Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam is also part of the “war room” team, bringing his expertise in public expenditure management to the table. Vualnam’s role has been critical in ensuring that the budget allocations are made in a way that maximizes the impact of government spending on the economy.
Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is another important member of the team, responsible for overseeing the financial sector-related aspects of the budget. Nagaraju’s experience in banking and financial regulation has been crucial in shaping the budget’s financial sector initiatives.
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 valuable in crafting the budget’s divestment strategy, while Chalai’s experience in public enterprises has helped shape the budget’s initiatives for state-owned companies. Nageswaran, as the CEA, has provided critical input on the economic aspects of the budget, drawing on his extensive experience in economic research and policy-making.
The “war room” team has been working closely with the Finance Minister to ensure that the budget addresses the country’s key economic challenges, including promoting economic growth, creating jobs, and ensuring fiscal discipline. The team has also been engaging with various stakeholders, including industry leaders, economists, and civil society organizations, to gather feedback and inputs on the budget.
As the budget-making process reaches its final stages, the “war room” team is working around the clock to finalize the budget documents and prepare for the budget presentation. The team’s hard work and dedication will ultimately shape the economic agenda of the country for the next financial year, and their efforts will be closely watched by economists, policymakers, and citizens alike.
In conclusion, the “war room” team behind Budget 2026 is a formidable group of officials with a deep understanding of the country’s economic challenges and opportunities. With their collective expertise and experience, they are well-equipped to craft a budget that promotes economic growth, stability, and prosperity for all. As the nation waits with bated breath for the budget presentation, one thing is clear: the “war room” team has played a critical role in shaping 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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