The COVID-19 pandemic posed serious challenges in almost every sector. People from the marginalised sections got disproportionately affected and inequalities were exacerbated due to it. In such a situation, the Union Budget for 2021-22, which was presented on the 1 st of February, was to define the country's fiscal policy response to the prevailing challenges and the trajectories of revival in socio-economic development. It was also meant to reflect clearly the future of fiscal federalism in India, based on the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26.
In such a context, CBGA had organised an online discussion on the Union Budget 2021-22 with eminent economists, policy experts and social activists on February 4, 2021.