Economists tell govt to increase spending

Economists and experts told Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, in pre-Budget consultations on Tuesday, to present an “out of the box” Budget, ensuring focus on heathcare, job creation and infrastructure.

Those present at the meeting were National Institute of Public Finance and Policy Director Rathin Roy (also a Business Standard columnist), Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad professor Ravindra Dholakia, Nomura Executive Director Sonal Verma, State Bank of India Chief Economic Advisor Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Ajit Ranade, Surjit Bhalla and others.

They also advised the government that the Budget should carry forward the work done through demonetisation and push for greater digitisation