Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution, and Consumer Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, praised Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s economic roadmap for 2026-27, stating it complements PM Narendra Modi’s “Viksit Bharat” vision. The budget focuses on enhancing production capacity in seven key sectors, with a significant allocation of Rs 10,000 crore for the biopharma industry to boost innovation and manufacturing in healthcare.
Joshi highlighted the launch of Indian Semiconductor Mission 2.0 as a strategic move towards positioning India as a global technology hub. The budget also increases investment in electronics component manufacturing to around Rs 40,000 crore to drive domestic production.
Moreover, the budget emphasizes support for labor-intensive textile industries and introduces programs like ‘Mahatma Gandhi Grama Swaraj’ to revitalize khadi, village industries, and handicrafts. It provides equity support of Rs 10,000 crore to develop small and medium enterprises into national champions and allocates a record Rs 12.2 lakh crore for public infrastructure development.
Under people-centric initiatives, the budget includes plans for high-speed rail corridors, healthcare schemes, the Khelo India Mission, and initiatives to boost fisheries, coconut cultivation, and rural women entrepreneurship. Special provisions have been made for persons with disabilities, and customs duty exemptions on 17 cancer drugs aim to ease the financial burden on patients.
Joshi also highlighted the budget’s focus on simplifying business processes, supporting the cooperative and IT sectors, and driving innovation without imposing additional tax burdens on citizens. He believes this budget will pave the way for a self-reliant and developed India.
