New Delhi (16.01.2023): Union Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the last full General Budget on February 1, 2023, before 2024 Lok Sabha elections, which is being watched for measures to help the economy to negotiate the difficult global environment, staying within the bounds of fiscal prudence, and keeping electoral considerations in mind. It is interesting to know and learn about the team working for the budget:
Dr T V Somanathan (IAS:1987:TN), Union Finance Secretary and Secretary in the Department of Expenditure is spearheading budget preparation as he balances the key goal of fuelling growth through capital expenditure push while not losing sight of fiscal consolidation.
Dr V Anantha Nageswaran, a former member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC), was appointed chief economic adviser just a few days ahead of the FY23 budget. Nageswaran, an academic and former executive with Credit Suisse Group AG and Julius Baer Group, will be watched for his assessment of the economy in the Economic Surve
Tuhin Kanta Pandey (IAS:1987:OD), Secretary, Department of Investment & Public Asset Management (DIPAM), delivered on the privatization of Air India and the mega listing of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Many more await.
Ajay Seth (IAS: 1987: KN), Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs with India’s G20 presidency, will be keenly watched for growth impulses to support the economy.
Vivek Joshi (IAS:1989:HY), Secretary, Department Of Financial Services, is expected to continue with the government’s reform agenda for state-run financial institutions. The upcoming budget may also herald the Banking Amendment Act, paving the way for further privatization.
Sanjay Malhotra (IAS:1990:RJ), Union Revenue Secretary, has a tough task — a clamor for tax relief amid high inflation against the demand for revenues to fund additional spending ahead of elections.
