New Delhi: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday held a pre-budget consultation meeting with experts from the infrastructure and energy sectors to seek their views ahead of the Union Budget for FY27.
The meeting is part of the government’s regular process of engaging industry stakeholders to understand sectoral challenges and priorities, which could shape policy proposals in the upcoming budget scheduled for February 1, 2026.
Experts and Officials in Attendance
The meeting was attended by senior industry executives, including:
- S Paramasivan, Managing Director, Afcons
- Manish Tripathi, Director, Shapoorji Pallonji Infrastructure Capital
- K Narayanarao, Deputy Managing Director, GMR Group
- Sandeep Wadhwa, Director, JM BAXI Group
- Jagan Shah, CEO, Infravision Foundation
Government representatives included Secretaries of the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Chairman of the Railway Board, and the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India.
The Ministry of Finance highlighted the importance of these consultations on social media, stating that the meeting marked the 11th Pre-Budget Consultation with the infrastructure and energy sectors.
Budget Priorities Amid Economic Challenges
The forthcoming Budget comes at a time of geopolitical uncertainties and external pressures, including a 50 percent US tariff on shipments from India.
Finance Minister Sitharaman is expected to focus on key priorities such as:
- Boosting domestic demand
- Encouraging job creation
- Sustaining India’s economic growth trajectory above 8 percent
The government estimates that the Indian economy will grow at 6.3–6.8 percent during the current fiscal year, highlighting the need for strategic policy measures in the upcoming Budget to maintain momentum.
Looking Ahead
The consultations aim to ensure that the Budget incorporates feedback from industry leaders, addresses sector-specific challenges, and supports India’s infrastructure and energy development goals. The Finance Minister is likely to present the Union Budget FY27 on February 1, 2026.
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