Union Budget 2019: PM Modi interacts with economists, industry experts

Ahead of the Union Budget's presentation in the Lok Sabha on July 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today interacted with economists and industry experts on current economic situation and took note of their suggestions. Over 40 economists and other experts participated in the interactive session organised by Niti Aayog on 'Economic Policy - The Road Ahead'. 

"During the session, participants shared their views, in five distinct groups, on the economic themes of macro economy and employment, agriculture and water resources, exports, education and health," said a release issued by the Prime Minister's Office, adding that the Prime Minister thanked all participants for their suggestions and observations, on various aspects of the economy. 

The meeting was also attended by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Minister of State (independent charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation Rao Inderjeet Singh. Niti Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar and senior government officials were also present.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will be presenting the full Budget for 2019-20 on July 5 in the Lok Sabha. It will be first full Budget of the Modi 2.0 government. 

Notably, Halwa ceremony was held in North Block today afternoon, therby marking the commencement of Budget printing process for the General Budget 2019-20. Ahead of the Union Budget 2019-20, there is a “lock-in” of the officials involved in making the Budget to maintain the secrecy. The Budget press, situated in North Block, houses all the officials in the period leading up to the presentation of the Union Budget. 

At the Halwa ceremony, the Finance Minister was accompanied by MoS for Finance Anurag Thakur, Finance Secretary SC Garg, Revenue Secretary AB Pandey, besides Rajiv Kumar Secretary, DFS, and Atanu Chakraborty, Secretary, DIPAM, among others.