FM Nirmala Sitharaman Holds Pre-Budget Consultation with States in Jaisalmer

By A Staff Reporter

Jaisalmer: In preparation for the Union Budget 2025-26, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman chaired a pre-budget consultation meeting with representatives of states and Union Territories (UTs with legislatures) in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, today.

Union Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary, Chief Ministers from Goa, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Meghalaya, and Odisha, as well as Deputy Chief Ministers from Arunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Telangana, were among the key attendees. Finance Ministers from various states and UTs also participated, alongside senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Departments of Economic Affairs and Expenditure.

The discussions centered on aligning state and union priorities for the forthcoming budget, focusing on infrastructure development, social welfare schemes, and strategies to boost the Indian economy. Sitharaman emphasized the importance of state collaboration in achieving national economic objectives and sought inputs on fiscal policy, resource allocation, and regional development needs.

Chief ministers and finance ministers shared their insights, highlighting state-specific challenges and priorities. The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to inclusive planning and fostering cooperation between the Centre and states.

The pre-budget consultation is a crucial step in the formulation of the Union Budget, reflecting the government’s focus on participatory governance and financial transparency.