Who is part of Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ for Budget 2026?
As the nation awaits the unveiling of the Union Budget 2026, the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to craft a comprehensive and growth-oriented budget. The team, often referred to as the “war room,” consists of top officials from the Ministry of Finance, who have been instrumental in drafting the budget. In this article, we will delve into the key members of Sitharaman’s “war room” and their roles in shaping the Budget 2026.
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 instrumental in shaping the government’s economic agenda. She is joined by Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who has been working closely with the Finance Minister to ensure that the budget is revenue-neutral and aligns with the government’s fiscal consolidation goals.
Another key member of the team is Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam, who has been responsible for allocating resources to various sectors and ministries. Vualnam’s expertise in public expenditure management has been invaluable in ensuring that the budget allocates resources efficiently and effectively. Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is also part of the “war room,” bringing his expertise in banking and financial services to the table. Nagaraju’s inputs have been crucial in shaping the budget’s provisions related to the financial sector.
In addition to these officials, DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla has been working closely with the team to ensure that the budget’s disinvestment targets are met. Chawla’s experience in managing the government’s stake in public sector enterprises has been instrumental in shaping the budget’s disinvestment strategy. Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai is also part of the team, bringing his expertise in public sector management to the table. Chalai’s inputs have been crucial in ensuring that the budget’s provisions related to public sector enterprises are aligned with the government’s strategic objectives.
Last but not least, Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran is also a key member of the “war room.” Nageswaran, a renowned economist, has been providing critical inputs on the budget’s macroeconomic framework and has been working closely with the team to ensure that the budget is aligned with the government’s economic objectives.
The “war room” has been working tirelessly to ensure that the Budget 2026 is comprehensive, growth-oriented, and aligns with the government’s strategic objectives. The team’s diverse expertise and experience have been instrumental in shaping the budget’s provisions, and their hard work is expected to pay off when the budget is unveiled.
As the nation awaits the budget, it is clear that Sitharaman’s “war room” has been working diligently to craft a budget that will drive growth, create jobs, and improve the overall quality of life for citizens. With a team of experienced and dedicated officials, the Finance Minister is well-equipped to present a budget that will meet the expectations of various stakeholders.
In conclusion, the “war room” behind the Budget 2026 consists of a team of experienced and dedicated officials, each bringing their unique expertise and experience to the table. As the nation awaits the unveiling of the budget, it is clear that Sitharaman’s team has been working tirelessly to craft a comprehensive and growth-oriented budget. We can expect the budget to be aligned with the government’s strategic objectives and to drive growth, create jobs, and improve the overall quality of life for citizens.
News Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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