Sat Feb 01 21:36:48 IST 2025: ## Union Budget 2025-26 Receives Mixed Reactions

**Mysore, Karnataka, February 1, 2025** – The Union Budget 2025-26, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has elicited diverse responses across sectors. While industry representatives lauded its growth-oriented measures, farmers and left-wing parties expressed disappointment.

The Mysore Industries Association (MIA) welcomed provisions such as ₹2 crore term loans for SC/ST women entrepreneurs, increased credit guarantee cover for MSMEs, and customized credit cards. They also praised the infrastructure development allocation and tax exemption on income up to ₹12 lakh. However, the MIA criticized the doubling of investment and turnover limits for MSMEs and the lack of Karnataka-specific projects. Similar positive assessments came from the Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which highlighted the budget’s potential to boost consumption and economic activity.

Conversely, the State Sugarcane Cultivators Association voiced strong criticism, citing the budget’s failure to address crucial farmer concerns like crop loan waivers and mandatory minimum support prices. The association deemed the budget as demonstrating a lack of understanding of the agricultural sector’s challenges.

The CPI(M) echoed these sentiments, highlighting the absence of measures to control rising prices of essential commodities and suggesting that project allocations to Bihar were politically motivated due to upcoming elections. The party also pointed out the disproportionate allocation to agriculture despite its significant contribution to employment.

The contrasting reactions highlight the complex impact of the budget, with certain sectors celebrating its pro-growth measures, while others lament its perceived inadequacy in addressing their specific concerns.

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