PM Modi meets economists, industry experts ahead of Budget 2020

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, brainstorm with top economists at NITI Aayog to discuss the economic slowdown and set the base for government agenda going forward.

Top cabinet ministers including home minister Amit Shah, road minister Nitin Gadkari, commerce minister Piyush Goyal and rural development minister Narendra Singh Tomar attended the meeting which lasted nearly two hours.

Besides, Niti Àayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar were present in the meeting with his top officers and members in the annual exercise done before the union budget.


The meeting gains significance as government wants to adopt all-round approach the economic slowdown in the country after GDP data for July-September showed economic growth at six-year low of 4.5%.

Sources told ET that PM has emphasised on the need for development of infrastructure in the social sector for the overall economic development besides discussing steps to boost economy in the near-term.

The government has announced a series of measures to give a push to attract investments and revive demand, including a reduction in corporate tax rates, but they are yet to show results.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget on February 1.

Modi has been interacting with top business tycoons to discuss issues impacting economic growth.