In an unusual move, in December-end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary Nripendra Misra wrote to more than a dozen economists seeking specific suggestions on some of the key issues of the upcoming Budget.

Mr. Misra asked the economists for inputs on what the overall thrust of the Budget should be and sought specific suggestions on revenue and expenditure matters, including on how to boost investments — a key issue this Budget.

Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian has recommended that the Centre increase public infrastructure spending to stimulate the economy even if this ends up pushing the fiscal deficit above the target of 4.1 per cent of the GDP.

The Finance Ministry officials preparing the Budget, on the other hand, fear that abandoning the committed fiscal consolidation path at a time tax revenues are slack, could attract a sovereign rating downgrade from global agencies.

The Hindu has learnt that Mr. Misra has held a series of meetings with Dr. Subramanian on the economy and the Budget.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and other officials involved in Budget preparation were not copied on Mr. Misra’s letter to economists, a copy of which The Hindu has seen.