Sat Feb 01 15:25:45 UTC 2025: ## Local MP hails Union Budget 2025 as boon for Mangaluru
**Mangaluru, February 1, 2025** – Dakshina Kannada MP Capt. Brijesh Chowta lauded the Union Budget 2025, describing it as a “comprehensive and compassionate” plan designed to stimulate growth and improve the lives of Indian citizens. He highlighted the increased nil tax slab to ₹12 lakh as a particularly impactful measure, stating it would significantly benefit the middle class and boost economic activity through increased consumption and investment.
Chowta, emphasizing his own middle-class background, expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and the government for this “enabler of a budget.” He calculated that the tax reduction could save middle-class families up to ₹80,000 per person annually.
The MP also identified several opportunities for Mangaluru’s development stemming from the budget, including the potential revival of its shipbuilding industry through the newly established ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund and the incentives for Shipbuilding Clusters. He expressed his intent to pursue these opportunities and secure funding.
Furthermore, Chowta noted the benefits for local MSMEs and startups, along with the announcement of a national framework for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in tier-2 cities – a development he had previously advocated for Mangaluru in correspondence with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
He urged the state government to utilize the ₹1.5 lakh crore interest-free, 50-year loan offered to states for infrastructure development, promising to work towards securing funds for Mangaluru’s infrastructure projects.
Finally, Chowta praised the budget’s wider provisions, such as cancer care improvements, affordable cancer medications, financial assistance for women and SC/ST entrepreneurs, and the exemption of life-saving drugs from basic customs duty.
First Piper 