5th Pre-Budget meeting, Fin Min Jaitley calls upon top economists

New Delhi, Dec 11 (KNN) With regard to the forthcoming Union Budget 2018-19, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley held the fifth pre-budgetary meeting with top economists in the national capital earlier today.

Top economists including Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia and Prof Bibek Debroy were seen part of the panel during today’s meet.

Different concerns pertaining to the country’s economy including GDP projections, allocation to sectors and considerations of demands are likely to be a part of the meeting.

This meet comes as the third meeting, after similar consultations with trade and workers union followed by a meeting with industry associations earlier last week.

Earlier during the trade union meeting, the finance minister assured the participating representatives that the government is committed to safeguard the interests of the workers of different sector, especially the unorganized and the MSME sector.  Trade unions during the meeting raised concerns including increased budgetary allocations for social security, proper monitoring of the prices of essentials etc. in a twelve point memorandum.

Following the meeting, the second meeting was held with the industry bodies that raised different concerns including sops for MSMEs, cut in corporate tax, simplification of GST, etc. in the upcoming budget. (KNN/DA)