Kochi: Noted economist and former NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Dr Rajiv Kumar will deliver Malayala Manorama's Budget Speech at Le Meridien Convention Centre in Kochi at 6 pm on Wednesday.

During the event, Kumar will discuss in detail the latest Union Budget proposals which aim to stimulate the country's economic growth and measures announced to curb inflation. The topics will also cover the finance minister's proposal to increase the income tax limit and other issues raised by the people. 

Kumar will also engage in a detailed analysis of the proposals, including the measures announced in the budget to address the economic impacts of the policies of US President Donald Trump.

A distinguished economist, Kumar also held the posts of economic advisor in the Finance Ministry, Principal Economist with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila and director of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and State Bank of India (SBI).

He also worked as chief economist of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), secretary general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Chancellor of the Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics and professor at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.

He was selected for an award by the Japanese Government for making significant contributions to improving economic ties between India and Japan. Kumar earned a DPhil in economics from Oxford.

He also authored several books, including one on the challenges faced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and numerous research papers.

Kumar will be delivering the 26th edition of Malayala Manorama Budget speech. For more details, contact 0484-4447888.