New Delhi, Oct 20 (IANS): Finance Minister Arun Jaitley initiated preparations for the union Budget 2016-17 by meeting leading economists from within and outside the government at the Niti Aayog here on Monday, an official statement said.
"The participating economists shared their ideas and the vision for 2016-17 Budget and appreciated that the government has initiated this discussion early in the budget cycle," said a Niti Aayog statement.
Reserve Bank Deputy Governor Urjit Patel, Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramaniam and senior officials from the finance ministry and the Aayog attended the meet, the statement added.
An Aayog official told reporters that the meeting focused on the need to push for better fiscal management and coordination between the central and state governments. It also discussed other issues, including agriculture productivity, job creation and fiscal expenditure.