New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman would hold a pre-Budget meeting with Finance Ministers of all States and Union Territories (with legislature) in New Delhi on Thursday.
While meeting with State Finance Ministers generally take place ahead of the Budget, demands and suggestions put forth by poll-bound states would be keenly noted in the interaction tomorrow.
Given the rising trend in Corona cases in various parts of the country, states are expected to demand more funds to deal with the challenge.
Higher spending on infrastructure could be another key area of discussion.
Meanwhile, Sitharaman today concluded pre-Budget meetings for forthcoming Union Budget 2022-23 which saw participation by as many as 120 invitees representing 7 stakeholder groups.
The stakeholder groups made several suggestions on various issues that included increased R&D spending, infrastructure status for digital services, incentives to hydrogen storage and fuel cell development, rationalisation of income tax slabs, investments in online safety measures etc., among others.
“The participants lauded government’s efforts in efficient handling of the economy during the pandemic and retaining India’s status as the fastest growing major economy,” said an official statement from Finance Ministry.
Sitharaman thanked the participants for sharing their valuable suggestions and assured that suggestions will be carefully considered while preparing the Budget 2022-23.
