Finance minister to meet economists, farm bodies for pre-Budget talk

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NEW DELHI: As part of her pre-budget consultations with stakeholders, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman will meet farmers’ associations and agriculture economists on Friday and seek their suggestions on the policy landscape for the politically and economically crucial sector.
“Ideas and suggestions of stakeholders are thoroughly discussed before budget preparation.It’s a standard procedure and is followed for finalising the budget for all ministries/sectors,” said an official. This time, however, given complaints of farm and rural distress, the agriculture sector will be a crucial component of the budget and will also outline the Modi govt’s strategy for the coming five years.
Promises made in the interim budget may get a concrete shape with more specific allocation, sources said.