One of the biggest days of the year will also mark the third edition of the ‘CNBC-TV18 Mint Budget Verdict’. In its third year, the unique engagement program will bring together the makers of the Union Budget 2018-2019 and the policy planners face-to-face with India Inc. leaders as they offer the most insightful and comprehensive budget impact assessment on Thursday, February 2, 2018; a day after the Union Budget is announced.

A consistent leader in the space, CNBC-TV18 has been decoding and analyzing the Union Budget every year for the discerning Indian viewer. With this special program/segment, CNBC-TV18 has created a distinct platform for detailed analysis and open dialog on the announcements made between the industry and its policy makers. The Union Budget 2018-19 is the first post-GST and last pre-election budget to be announced by the Modi government, the channel will share their in-depth analysis where this year, some big-ticket announcements are expected, focusing on rural programmes among other important topics.

Policy architects and key budget makers including Mr. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Railway and Coal, Mr. Jayant Sinha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Minister of Food Processing and Industries, Rajiv Kumar, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, Hasmukh Adhia, Finance Secretary from CNBC-TV18’s Managing Editor, Shereen Bhan and Mint’s Executive Editor, Anil Padmanabhan. Other dignitaries include Neeraj Kumar Gupta, Secretary, DIPAM, Subhash Chandra Garg, Secretary, and Department of Economic Affair.  The timing of the dialogue is important since it comes barely a day after the presentation of the first post-GST and last pre-election Union budget.

Speaking about the special segment, TV18 & CEO Forbes India, President – Revenue, Joy Chakraborthy said, "Our 3rd edition of this special programme will be a landmark in its own regard as we will understand and discuss policies/changes announced and will share our take on how this will affect India Inc. in the most coveted budget announcement in decades. This year has been interesting as the Goods & Services Tax was implemented, it will be great to understand its effects and how it has helped shape the Union Budget 2018-19."

Policy makers and leading honchos of India Inc. will discuss the various announcements which will be made on 1st of February 2018, including some expected topics like increased funding for rural programmes, tweak in tax slabs, effects of GST among others.

The panel discussion will be followed by a keynote address by Mr. Piyush Goyal. The key highlight of the ‘CNBC-TV18 Mint Budget Verdict’ will be the open house where India Inc leaders articulate their perspectives on the key policy document.

‘CNBC- TV18 Mint Budget Verdict’ will have by far the biggest media play leveraging media assets of Network18 and HT Media. This guarantees unprecedented audiences reach encompassing diverse audiences across television, print and digital assets of the two groups. 

The event will be featured LIVE on CNBC- TV18, CNBC Awaaz, CNN-News18, News18 India and IBN Lokmat. The surround via digital play would occur on moneycontrol.com and livemint.com. ‘CNBC-TV18 Mint Budget Verdict’ will be webcast LIVE on livemint.com & CNBC-TV18’s Facebook Page. 

Social media amplification would help integrate influencers outside of the venue to join the deliberations. Network18 & HT Media twitter and social media avatars will not only build-up the visibility for the engagement but also proactively amplify LIVE proceedings.