Who is part of Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ for Budget 2026?
As the nation awaits the unveiling of Budget 2026, the anticipation is palpable. Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of officials has been working tirelessly to draft the budget, which will shape the country’s economic trajectory for the coming year. Led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, this team is often referred to as the ‘war room’ for Budget 2026. In this article, we will delve into the composition of this high-powered team and explore the key players who have been instrumental in shaping the budget.
At the helm of the ‘war room’ is Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who has been playing a crucial role in drafting the budget. Thakur, a seasoned bureaucrat, has extensive experience in economic policy-making and has been involved in several key initiatives of the government. Her expertise in economic affairs has been invaluable in shaping the budget, which is expected to address several pressing issues, including economic growth, fiscal deficit, and job creation.
Another key member of the team is Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who has been responsible for drafting the tax proposals for the budget. Srivastava, a veteran tax administrator, has a deep understanding of the tax system and has been instrumental in implementing several tax reforms, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST). His expertise in taxation has been crucial in shaping the tax proposals for the budget, which is expected to balance the need for revenue generation with the need to promote economic growth.
Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam is another important member of the team, responsible for overseeing the allocation of resources for various government schemes and programs. Vualnam, a seasoned bureaucrat, has extensive experience in public finance and has been involved in several key initiatives of the government, including the implementation of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act. His expertise in public finance has been invaluable in shaping the expenditure proposals for the budget, which is expected to prioritize spending on key sectors such as infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is also part of the team, responsible for drafting proposals related to the financial sector, including banking, insurance, and capital markets. Nagaraju, a veteran finance professional, has extensive experience in the financial sector and has been involved in several key initiatives of the government, including the implementation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). His expertise in financial services has been crucial in shaping the proposals for the budget, which is expected to promote financial inclusion, deepen financial markets, and strengthen the banking sector.
In addition to these key officials, the ‘war room’ also includes DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, who is responsible for overseeing the disinvestment of public sector enterprises. Chawla, a seasoned bureaucrat, has extensive experience in public policy and has been involved in several key initiatives of the government, including the implementation of the National Monetization Pipeline (NMP). His expertise in disinvestment has been invaluable in shaping the proposals for the budget, which is expected to prioritize the sale of non-core assets and promote privatization.
Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai is also part of the team, responsible for overseeing the performance of public sector enterprises. Chalai, a veteran bureaucrat, has extensive experience in public administration and has been involved in several key initiatives of the government, including the implementation of the Public Sector Enterprises (PSE) policy. His expertise in public enterprises has been crucial in shaping the proposals for the budget, which is expected to promote the growth and efficiency of public sector enterprises.
Last but not least, Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran is also part of the team, responsible for providing economic advice and analysis to the government. Nageswaran, a renowned economist, has extensive experience in economic policy-making and has been involved in several key initiatives of the government, including the implementation of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). His expertise in economics has been invaluable in shaping the budget, which is expected to promote economic growth, stability, and fiscal discipline.
In conclusion, the ‘war room’ for Budget 2026 is a team of dedicated and experienced officials who have been working tirelessly to draft the budget. Led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, this team has been instrumental in shaping the budget, which is expected to address several pressing issues, including economic growth, fiscal deficit, and job creation. As the nation awaits the unveiling of the budget, it is clear that the team has put in a tremendous amount of effort and expertise 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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