NEW DELHI, Jan 6: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman, chaired the eighth Pre-Budget Consultation meeting on Monday, engaging with stakeholders and representatives from trade unions in preparation for the Union Budget 2025-26. The discussion, focused on gathering insights from trade unions, forms part of the government’s annual tradition to involve various sectors in shaping fiscal policies and resource allocation.
The meeting, which was held in New Delhi, saw participation from Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, senior officials, including the Finance Secretary, the Secretaries from the Department of Economic Affairs and the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM), along with representatives from the Labour Ministry and the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
In a social media post, the Ministry of Finance noted: “Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharamanchairs the eighth Pre-Budget Consultation with the stakeholders and representatives from the trade unions in connection with the upcoming Union Budget 2025-26, in New Delhi.”
The Union Budget 2025-26 is expected to be presented in February and is anticipated to focus on boosting economic growth. Prior to this, Sitharaman held discussions with stakeholders from the financial sector and capital markets. The Finance Ministry also conducts a series of pre-budget meetings annually with experts, industry leaders, economists, and state officials to ensure the Budget aligns with national priorities.
Sitharaman has already met with various groups, including MSMEs, farmers’ associations, and economists, as part of the consultation process. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also interacted with eminent economists and thought leaders at NITI Aayog in preparation for the Budget.
The Union Budget 2025-26, which will be presented on February 1, 2025, marks Sitharaman’s eighth budget presentation. It is expected to include key economic measures and forward-looking strategies as the government enters the final phase of the Modi 3.0 tenure.
