New Delhi [India], November 10 (ANI): Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday chaired the first pre-Budget consultation meeting with the country’s leading economists in New Delhi in preparation for the upcoming Union Budget 2026–27.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, and senior officers from the Ministry of Finance.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Finance stated, “Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman chairs the first pre-Budget consultation with leading economists in connection with the upcoming Union Budget 2026–27, in New Delhi.”
The consultation with economists began at 10 a.m. and continued until noon. This was followed by another round of discussions with eminent agriculturists and farmer organisations from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
These meetings mark the beginning of a series of pre-budget consultations that the Finance Ministry conducts annually as part of the budget preparation process.
A pre-Budget meeting serves as a platform for consultation and discussion between government finance officials and stakeholders before the final annual budget is formulated and presented to Parliament.
Such meetings provide an opportunity for the Finance Minister to gather suggestions, demands, and insights from various participants, including industry associations, trade unions, economists, state government officials, and representatives from the social sector.
Through these discussions, the Finance Ministry aims to ensure that the Union Budget reflects diverse perspectives and addresses the needs of different sectors of the economy.
The consultations with economists and agriculturists mark the first phase of the government’s broader engagement process leading up to the presentation of the Union Budget 2026–27.
The Union Budget is typically presented on February 1 each year. This year, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Budget for 2026–27 in Parliament on February 1.
Various chambers of commerce, including the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), and the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), have submitted their pre-Budget memoranda to the ministry.
They have urged the government to adopt a series of direct tax reforms, expand the tax base, and take measures to bolster manufacturing, innovation, and tax compliance. (ANI)
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