Karnataka’s Leader of the Opposition, R. Ashoka, commended the Union Budget 2026-27, highlighting its role in advancing India’s development. He emphasized the significance of the Bengaluru-Hyderabad high-speed rail route in enhancing Bengaluru’s economic prominence in South India. Ashoka noted that the budget’s announcement of seven high-speed rail corridors will boost economic activity by connecting major cities efficiently.
Ashoka underscored that the high-speed rail routes, particularly Bengaluru-Chennai and Bengaluru-Hyderabad, will strengthen Bengaluru’s position as a key economic hub, leading to increased employment opportunities and industrial growth. He praised the budget as a visionary and balanced roadmap towards achieving “Viksit Bharat by 2047” under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. The budget’s focus on economic discipline, people-centric policies, and development-oriented strategies align with the government’s governance approach.
The budget prioritizes accelerating economic growth, promoting inclusive development, and ensuring opportunities for all citizens, reflecting the government’s commitment to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Ashoka highlighted the budget’s initiatives for the agriculture sector, such as the Mahatma Gandhi Gram Swaraj Scheme and support for coconut, sandalwood, and cashew cultivation. These measures aim to boost farmers’ incomes and create new economic prospects across the country, including Karnataka.
With a keen eye on the industrial sector, the budget’s support for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and the semiconductor industry is expected to enhance the industrial ecosystem in Bengaluru and Karnataka, fostering youth employment. Ashoka also lauded the simplifications introduced in the tax system to benefit the middle class, including reduced penalties for delayed income tax filing and tax exemptions on essential services. The budget’s compassionate decisions, such as reducing medicine prices and providing tax relief on accident compensation, demonstrate a people-oriented approach towards strengthening the healthcare sector.
Overall, Ashoka described the budget as a comprehensive blueprint for economic discipline, social justice, and inclusive development, positioning India as a prominent global player. He expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a forward-looking and citizen-centric budget that outlines a clear path for the nation’s progress.
