Congress Criticizes Centre for Lack of Coordination in Policy-Making Ahead of Budget

New Delhi, Jan 31: The Congress party on Saturday targeted the central government, accusing it of a lack of coordination in policy-making just days ahead of the presentation of the Union Budget. Party leaders raised concerns over whether key budget figures could be revised immediately after their release, given that new series of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Consumer Price Index (CPI) data are scheduled to be published shortly after the budget presentation.

Congress communication chief and general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the timing of the issue, noting that the Union Budget for the financial year 2026-27 is scheduled to be presented on Sunday, February 1. He questioned the rationale behind presenting budget estimates without first integrating the updated macroeconomic data, suggesting that this could lead to discrepancies and undermine the credibility of government projections.

The opposition party emphasized that such lack of policy coordination could have serious implications for fiscal planning, economic forecasting, and market confidence. Congress leaders argued that presenting budget numbers before releasing the updated GDP and CPI data might necessitate immediate post-budget revisions, which could create uncertainty among investors, analysts, and the public.

The criticism comes at a crucial juncture as India is preparing for the new financial year, and the government is expected to outline its fiscal priorities, spending plans, and economic measures aimed at sustaining growth, controlling inflation, and enhancing employment opportunities. Congress called on the government to ensure better synchronization between statistical releases and policy announcements to avoid confusion and strengthen transparency in governance.