Poor coordination in policy making: Congress slams Govt. ahead of Budget

Congress criticizes government for poor policy coordination ahead of the Budget, questioning potential revisions to economic data.

The Congress on Saturday (January 31, 2026) questioned whether the Budget numbers would undergo revisions very soon after they are unveiled, as the new GDP and Consumer Price Index (CPI) series are to be released just days after the Budget, and said it reflects poorly on coordination in policy making.

Congress general secretary in-charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, noted the Budget for 2026/27 will be presented on Sunday (February 1, 2026).

"State governments will be anxiously awaiting what awaits them since the Finance Minister will be announcing the implementation of the recommendations of the 16th Finance Commission," he said in a post on X.

The Finance Commission is a body set up under Article 280 of the Constitution every five years (or earlier) to recommend the share of the states in the tax revenues collected by the Centre, the distribution of this share among the States, and special grants for five years, he said, adding that the 16th Finance Commission deals with the period 2026/27-2030/31.

"But there are two other concerns. First, many of the Budget's numbers will be expressed as a % of GDP. However, just twenty-six days later on Feb 27, 2026 the new and updated GDP series with 2022/23 as the base is scheduled to be released," Mr. Ramesh said.

Would the Budget numbers then undergo revisions very soon after they are unveiled on February 1, 2026, he said.