Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today said, the government will need to take some difficult decisions in the coming months to regain and sustain the economic growth rate to pre-crisis level.

Speaking to Captains of the Industry at a post budget interaction in New Delhi, the Finance minister said this would require broad consensus in national interest among political parties and all stake holders.

He said, ground economic realities cannot be ignored and the Union Budget has laid down a roadmap for fiscal consolidation and to put the economy on the path of higher growth.

Reminding that India's economic stature in the world has changed since the not long ago period when the country had to pawn 67 tons of gold with the Bank of England, he called upon all stake holders to collectively undertake responsibilities when it comes to broader national interests.

The Finance Minister also sought the whole hearted efforts from the captains of the industry to steer the nation to a sustainable and higher economic growth rate.

Saying that economic reforms have to done at the earliest, he favoured the early implementation of the Direct Taxes Code, and the Goods and Service Tax. Pranab said, the budget also increased allocation for social security measures.