Modi, Jaitley to hold pre-budget meeting with NITI Aayog, economists today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will meet NITI Aayog officials, economists and experts on Tuesday to get their views on the upcoming Budget 2017-18. 

According to the Business Standard report, there will be 13 people- from the NITI Aayog, economists and others with expertise- who will make presentations to the government .

The pre-budget meeting of the government will begin at 4:30 pm on Tuesday. 

The meeting's theme is 'Economic Policy Reform, Road Ahead' and will have discussions on job creation, skill development, agriculture and issues for the Budget 2017.

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has reduced the economic growth forecast to 7.1% from 7.6% in its monetary policy review earlier this month.

Asian Development Bank (ADB) too slashed growth projection to 7% for the current fiscal, from its earlier 7.4% due to the impact of demonetisation on economic activities.

The Business Standard news report quoting an official said PM Modi would also take stock of Aayog initiatives to promote the digital payments, such as the Lucky Grahak Yojana and Digi Dhan Vyapaar Yojana. 

Moreover, PM Modi will also discuss the status of the economy with experts at NITI Aayog against the backdrop of currency crunch post demonetisation and ways to speed up growth.

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