Who is part of Sitharaman’s ‘war room’ for Budget 2026?
As the Indian government prepares to unveil its Budget 2026, all eyes are on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and her team of experts who have been working tirelessly behind the scenes to draft the budget. The team, often referred to as the “war room,” consists of top officials from various departments who have been tasked with the responsibility of shaping the country’s fiscal policy for the upcoming year.
At the helm of the “war room” 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 key role in shaping the government’s economic agenda. She is joined by Revenue Secretary Arvind Srivastava, who has been responsible for mobilizing resources for the government and has been working closely with Thakur to ensure that the budget is fiscally prudent.
Another key member of the team is Expenditure Secretary V Vualnam, who has been tasked with the responsibility of allocating resources to various government departments and ministries. Vualnam’s expertise in public finance and his ability to balance competing demands for resources have been invaluable to the team. Financial Services Secretary M Nagaraju, who has been responsible for shaping the government’s financial sector policies, is also part of the “war room.”
In addition to these officials, the team also includes DIPAM Secretary Arunish Chawla, who has been responsible for overseeing the government’s disinvestment program. Chawla’s expertise in managing the government’s stake in public sector enterprises has been crucial in shaping the budget’s divestment strategy. Public Enterprises Secretary Moses Chalai, who has been responsible for overseeing the performance of public sector enterprises, is also part of the team.
One of the most important members of the team is Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran, who has been responsible for providing economic advice to the government. Nageswaran, a renowned economist, has been instrumental in shaping the government’s economic policies and has played a key role in drafting the budget.
The “war room” has been working tirelessly to ensure that the Budget 2026 is comprehensive and addresses the country’s economic challenges. The team has been meeting regularly to discuss various aspects of the budget, including taxation, expenditure, and disinvestment. They have also been engaging with stakeholders, including industry leaders, economists, and civil society organizations, to ensure that the budget is inclusive and reflects the aspirations of the people.
As the budget is set to be unveiled soon, there is a lot of speculation about what it will contain. Will the government increase taxes or reduce them? Will there be new schemes and programs to boost economic growth? The “war room” has been tight-lipped about the details of the budget, but one thing is certain – the team has worked hard to ensure that the budget is well-crafted and reflects the government’s commitment to economic growth and development.
In conclusion, the “war room” led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is a team of experienced and dedicated officials who have been working tirelessly to draft the Budget 2026. With their expertise and commitment, the government is confident that the budget will be a comprehensive and inclusive document that addresses the country’s economic challenges and reflects the aspirations of the people.
News Source: https://www.firstpost.com/explainers/whos-in-nirmala-sitharamans-union-budget-2026-war-room-13973100.html/amp
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