Sat Feb 01 15:18:03 UTC 2025: ## Mixed Reactions to Union Budget 2025-26 in Andhra Pradesh
**Vijayawada, February 1, 2025** – The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Andhra Pradesh chapter offered a mixed response to the Union Budget 2025-26, presented on Saturday. While praising its progressive nature and measures supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), some members expressed disappointment over unmet expectations regarding GST reforms for the industrial sector.
CII-AP chairman V. Murali Krishna lauded the budget, a sentiment echoed by Vijayawada zone chairman D.V. Ravindranath, who highlighted the importance of enhanced credit guarantee cover and customized credit cards for MSMEs.
However, former CII-AP chairman D. Ramakrishna voiced concern over the lack of attention paid to youth unemployment driven by technological advancements, suggesting the need for curriculum reforms in educational institutions. He questioned whether the budget adequately addresses this critical issue.
In the agricultural sector, positive feedback centered on the Prime Minister Dhan Bhanya Krishi Yojana and the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme, along with the establishment of a gene bank. However, former chairman M. Lakshmi Prasad criticized the continued high import duty (28%+) on pollution control machinery, advocating for its removal to encourage environmental protection. He also called for the removal of the 18% GST on medical insurance and taxes on pensions. The CII-AP members concluded that while the budget shows promise, significant improvements are needed to fully address the concerns of various sectors.
First Piper 