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 are working tirelessly to draft the budget. The team, often referred to as the “war room,” consists of top officials from various departments who are responsible for shaping the country’s economic policies. In this blog post, we will delve into the composition of Sitharaman’s “war room” and explore the key players who are helping to draft Budget 2026.
At the helm of the “war room” is Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who plays a crucial role in drafting the budget. Thakur is a seasoned bureaucrat with extensive experience in economic policy-making and has been instrumental in shaping the country’s economic agenda. Alongside Thakur is Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who is responsible for revenue collection and taxation policies. Srivastava’s expertise in taxation and revenue mobilization will be crucial in determining the tax policies and revenue projections for the upcoming budget.
Another key member of the “war room” is Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam, who is responsible for overseeing government expenditure and ensuring that it is aligned with the country’s economic priorities. Vualnam’s experience in public finance and expenditure management will be vital in determining the allocation of resources for various sectors, including infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is also part of the “war room,” bringing his expertise in financial regulation and supervision to the table. Nagaraju’s role will be critical in shaping the budget’s financial sector policies, including those related to banking, insurance, and capital markets.
In addition to these secretaries, the “war room” also includes DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, who is responsible for overseeing the disinvestment of public sector enterprises. Chawla’s experience in disinvestment and asset monetization will be crucial in determining the government’s strategy for raising revenue through the sale of public sector assets.
Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai is another key member of the “war room,” responsible for overseeing the performance and governance of public sector enterprises. Chalai’s expertise in public sector management will be vital in determining the budget’s policies and allocations for public sector enterprises.
Last but not least, the “war room” also includes Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran, who provides critical economic analysis and advice to the finance minister. Nageswaran’s experience in economic research and policy-making will be instrumental in shaping the budget’s economic policies and ensuring that they are aligned with the country’s economic goals.
The composition of Sitharaman’s “war room” reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that the budget is drafted with the expertise and inputs of top officials from various departments. The team’s diverse range of skills and experience will enable the government to craft a budget that is comprehensive, inclusive, and growth-oriented.
As the budget-making process is underway, the “war room” is working tirelessly to ensure that the budget meets the government’s economic priorities and addresses the concerns of various stakeholders, including businesses, investors, and citizens. The team’s efforts will be critical in determining the country’s economic trajectory in the coming year and beyond.
In conclusion, Sitharaman’s “war room” is a team of highly experienced and skilled officials who are working together to draft Budget 2026. The team’s composition reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that the budget is crafted with the expertise and inputs of top officials from various departments. As the budget approaches, all eyes will be on the “war room” and its efforts to shape the country’s economic policies.
News Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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