New Delhi, June 27: With barely two weeks left for the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to present the Union Finance Budget in the Parliament, the Cabinet Minister met former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi on Thursday. Sitharaman meeting the economist - whose reform schemes were widely known globally - is seen as an important move by the ruling dispensation as much is expected from the meeting.

As the Union Finance Ministry is all set in preparation of the Union Budget and are being grilled with the hefty task of deriving schemes that would make reach the GDP growth rate over 8%, Sitharaman meeting the former Planning Commission chief sends signal that the present ruling dispensation wants to bring certain change in the prevailing current scenario of Indian economy. Union Budget 2019 Predictions: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to Open Pandora Box on July 5; Here's What to Expect

Though the meeting between the two economists a week before the Union Budget is stated to be a courtesy call, Singh's absence in the parliament this Budget Session will be missed. It is to be known that the former PM has never missed a Budget Session in last 30 years, but due to the end of his Rajya Sabha tenure this month, he will have to tune to television to get the live updates on July 5.

Considering the fact that India's rural economy is stressed, unemployment rate plunging and fiscal deficit on the brink, things might become complicated for the Union Finance Ministry. Looks like country second woman Finance Minister will open her pandora box to tackle the GDP growth, fiscal deficit, declining export, agrarian crisis, high taxes, distress in academics, among others. Budget 2019-20: FM Nirmala Sitharaman Holds Pre-Budget Meeting With Finance Ministers of All States

With each passing hour, the expectations from the Union Finance Minister are escalating, as people are looking at her with high hopes. Other than the IT reforms, other areas that might see the light of the day include agriculture, healthcare, academics, trade, GST and Defence.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 27, 2019 07:59 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).