Who is part of Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ for Budget 2026?
As the Indian government gears up to present the Union Budget 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has assembled a team of top officials to help draft and finalize the budget. This team, often referred to as the “war room,” consists of experienced bureaucrats who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that the budget meets the government’s economic goals and objectives.
At the helm of this team is Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, who has been instrumental in shaping the government’s economic policies. Thakur, a seasoned bureaucrat with years of experience in the finance ministry, has been working closely with Sitharaman to ensure that the budget is aligned with the government’s overall economic vision.
Another key member of the team is Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who has been responsible for drafting the tax proposals that will be included in the budget. Srivastava, an expert in taxation, has been working closely with the finance minister to ensure that the tax proposals are fair, equitable, and aligned with the government’s revenue targets.
Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam is also part of the team, and has been responsible for overseeing the allocation of funds to various government departments and ministries. Vualnam, a seasoned bureaucrat with experience in public finance, has been working closely with Sitharaman to ensure that the budget allocations are aligned with the government’s priorities and objectives.
Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju is another key member of the team, and has been responsible for drafting the proposals related to the financial sector, including banking, insurance, and capital markets. Nagaraju, an expert in financial regulation, has been working closely with Sitharaman to ensure that the budget proposals are aligned with the government’s goals for the financial sector.
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 team. Chawla, an expert in disinvestment, has been responsible for drafting the proposals related to the sale of government assets, while Chalai, an expert in public enterprises, has been responsible for overseeing the performance of state-owned enterprises. Nageswaran, a renowned economist, has been providing critical input on the economic implications of the budget proposals.
The team has been working tirelessly to ensure that the budget is comprehensive, well-structured, and aligned with the government’s economic goals. With their collective expertise and experience, the team is well-equipped to help Sitharaman present a budget that meets the expectations of various stakeholders, including taxpayers, businesses, and investors.
As the budget presentation approaches, the team is putting the final touches to the budget proposals, taking into account the feedback and suggestions from various stakeholders. The budget is expected to be a critical document, outlining the government’s economic vision and priorities for the coming year.
The Indian economy has been facing several challenges in recent times, including a slowdown in growth, high inflation, and a large fiscal deficit. The budget is expected to provide a roadmap for addressing these challenges and putting the economy back on track.
With a team of experienced and knowledgeable officials, Sitharaman is well-placed to present a budget that meets the expectations of various stakeholders. The team’s expertise and experience will be critical in shaping the budget proposals and ensuring that they are aligned with the government’s economic goals and objectives.
In conclusion, the team of officials working with Sitharaman to draft the Budget 2026 is a talented and experienced group of bureaucrats who have been working tirelessly to ensure that the budget is comprehensive, well-structured, and aligned with the government’s economic goals. With their collective expertise and experience, the team is well-equipped to help Sitharaman present a budget that meets the expectations of various stakeholders and provides a roadmap for addressing the challenges facing the Indian economy.
News source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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