<h1>State Finance Ministers Call for Growth and Employment-Focused Union Budget 2012-13, Addressing Inflation and Fiscal Challenges.</h1> In pre-budget consultations, state finance ministers urged the Union Finance Minister to adopt a growth-centric and employment-focused budget for 2012-13. Emphasizing coordination between the Centre and States, they highlighted challenges like inflation control, fiscal consolidation, and sustainable growth. Suggestions included enhancing rural development, education, and health sectors, implementing committee recommendations on expenditure management, and re-evaluating expenditure classifications. Participants advocated for fiscal incentives to boost investment, improved agricultural production, urban infrastructure, and power development. They also stressed the need for affordable housing, drinking water, irrigation, and welfare for minority communities and those in hilly and northeastern regions.