BUDGET REACTIONS

By R Anil Kumar 

• Budget strengthens the foundation for #ViksitBharat with a sharp focus on infrastructure, rural resilience, and private sector growth

• Budget 2025 lays a strong foundation for sustained growth, focusing on capital investments, economic resilience, and global competitiveness

• The Budget’s sustained focus on capex spend & more money in the hands of the middle income group due to big tax relief, will provide a fillip to demand growth and employment, while also being fiscally responsible

• It is a growth-oriented and well-balanced budget putting more money in the hands of the middle class and kick off a virtuous cycle of investments

Bengaluru, February 1. Next five years present a unique opportunity to realize ‘Sabka Vikas’; union budget 2025-26, is how economists and industry honchos react to union budget presented by union finance minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in parliament this morning.

Mr N Venu. Chairman CII Karnataka State Council & Managing Director & CEO – India and South Asia, Hitachi Energy

This budget strengthens the foundation for #ViksitBharat with a sharp focus on infrastructure, rural resilience, and private sector growth. A balanced energy transition – especially the aim to add 100GW nuclear energy along with eliminating civil liability – clean-tech innovation, and strategic capital investments pave the way for sustainability, self-reliance, and global leadership. With forward-looking policies in harnessing demographic dividend, manufacturing, deep-tech, and climate resilience, the budget seeks to set India on a path of inclusive and future-ready growth.

Mr Rabindra Srikantan Vice Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council & Managing Director, ASM Tech

Budget 2025 lays a strong foundation for sustained growth, focusing on capital investments, economic resilience, and global competitiveness. With progressive reforms in infrastructure, manufacturing, and Ease of Doing Business, it fosters an environment for innovation and investment. The push for clean energy, technology advancement, and a robust logistics ecosystem further accelerates India’s transformation. A well-balanced and future-ready budget that strengthens industries, empowers the workforce, and drives inclusive prosperity.

 Mr Kamal Bali, Immediate Past Chairman CII SR

The Budget’s sustained focus on capex spend & more money in the hands of the middle income group due to big tax relief, will provide a fillip to demand growth and employment, while also being fiscally responsible.

Subject to the fine print, every sector of society and economy (including msmes, agri, startups, tourism, skilling, training in AI), have been thought of and provided some sort of support for transformational growth.

FDI in insurance, rationalization of import duties, nuclear energy mission, India post as logistics organization, leveraging last mile connectivity, and personal income tax are some other highlights.

This should set us off well towards a resilient, self-reliant, and a globally competitive Viksit Bharat.

 Mr Deepak Bhall, Convenor CII Karnataka Economic Affairs Panel

It is a growth-oriented and well-balanced budget that will put more money in the hands of the middle class and kick off a virtuous cycle of investments. Its inclusive as the finance minister has taken care of Agriculture sector, Manufacturing sector with rationalization of custom duties, focus on skilling initiatives through creation of centers of excellence, continued focus on capital expenditure. All this while maintaining fiscal discipline – 4.8% fiscal deficit this year and a target of 4.4% for next year. Overall, a positive budget.

Mr Guruprasad Mudlapur, CII Member

A forward-looking, progressive budget that fuels innovation, investment, and long-term economic resilience. This budget sets a positive tone for growth, with strong support for income generation, reforms, and Ease of Doing Business. The auto sector gains momentum with reduced customs duty rationalisation on EV batteries. Game-changing technologies like Small Modular Nuclear Reactors reinforce India’s commitment to clean energy.