Prahab Holds Talks with Senior Officials to Discuss Budget Preparation

Prior to assume the charge of office, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee is reported have conducted an informal meeting of senior officials of his ministry and discussed with them the issues pertaining to preparation of the Union Budget. 

According to reports, Finance Secretary Ashok Chawla and Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Virmani met Mukherjee at his residence on Sunday.

Official sources informed that Mukherjee, who is likely to take over the charge on Monday, has called a meeting of senior Finance Ministry officials on Monday immediately after he takes charge of office.

Following first meeting of the new Cabinet on Saturday, Mukherjee had expressed hope that the government would be able to present the Union Budget for the year 2009-10 in due time to avoid uncertainties.

Commenting on the economic scenario, he had said, “Indian economy is resilient, strong and we shall have to build up and come back to the growth track as early as possible. We will be able to, I hope, present the budget in due time so that uncertainties can be avoided and time of spending can be renewed.”

Mukherjee, who was given additional charge as Finance Minister earlier this year in the previous UPA government, had presented an interim budget in February and had sought approval from the Parliament for withdrawal of money from the consolidated fund only till July 31.