Panel Discussion on Union Budget 2026 Organised At Multani Mal Modi College, Patiala
Patiala: 7th February, 2026
The Department of Economics of the college organised an insightful panel discussion on the Union Budget 2026, bringing together experts from academia, finance and industry to analyse the budget’s impact and future prospects. The event aimed to help students and faculty understand the macroeconomic, tax-related, and industry-related implications of the Union Budget.
The programme commenced with a formal welcome by the Principal, Dr. Neeraj Goyal, of the distinguished guests including Prof. Parmod Kumar Aggarwal from the Department of Economics, Punjabi University, Patiala; Mr. Mahesh Garg, Chartered Accountant, Patiala; and Mr. Manu Sharma, Zonal Head, ICICI Bank, Patialal. In his address Principal Dr. Neeraj Goyal, emphasised the importance of academic discussions on national policy matters and reiterated that Budget 2026 comes at a crucial time when the world is navigating through extreme pressures of global uncertainities, inflation and the need for sustainable development.
Dr. Amandeep Kaur, Head, Department of Economics, highlighted that the Union Budget is not merely a financial statement but a reflection of the government’s vision for economic growth, fiscal stability, social welfare, and industrial development. The panelists were then introduced by Dr. Maninder Deep Cheema from the Department fo Economics.
The discussion began with the macroeconomic perspective of the budget. Prof. Parmod Kumar Aggarwal analysed how the budget strikes a balance between growth, fiscal discipline, and social spending. He also reflected on the realism of the government’s assumptions regarding GDP growth, inflation, and fiscal deficit in the present global scenario.
Focusing on taxation and fiscal policy, Mr. Mahesh Garg discussed key tax reforms, especially concerning individuals and corporates. He elaborated on the progress made toward tax simplification and reducing compliance burdens, particularly for individuals and MSMEs.
From an industry and banking perspective, Mr. Manu Sharma spoke about the response of Indian industry to the budget. He shared insights on the investment friendliness of the budget and identified sectors likely to benefit the most.
Principal Dr. Neeraj Goyal, also a panelist, provided his perspective on the key signals the budget sends regarding government priorities, especially in manufacturing, infrastructure and employment generation. His key talking points included Orange economy, focus on semiconductors , rare earth elements, reduction in logistic costs, Biopharma and Carbon credit policy.
An interactive session moderated by Dr. Cheema followed, where students and faculty raised pertinent questions through the moderator on how students can contribute to India’s economy and how it affects the job market. Discussion was also held on govt investments on rural urban connectivity. The discussion encouraged critical thinking and deeper engagement with national economic policy.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Prof. Jagdeep Kaur, Vice-Principal, who expressed gratitude to the panelists, organisers, and participants. Prof. Jagmohan from Dept of Economics and the faculty of Social Sciences helped in organising this event successfully. The event which saw enthusiastic participation from faculty members and students proved to be an enriching academic exercise, helping attendees move beyond headlines to understand the real implications of the Union Budget 2026.