Budget 2026 Highlights: Looking to push economy to maintain growth momentum, says Sitharaman

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Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda says, "The name of Haryana didn't even come up in the Union Budget. Haryana hasn't been allocated any projects or development works. It's regrettable that the name of the state, from which the highest GST and tolls are collected, is missing from the budget. Such neglect of Haryana is not good."

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu says, "I'm happy that India is now focusing upon having rare earth mineral corridors in the country because there are some components which we are still importing. Whereas we have the mines, we have the skills, we have the expertise. With the coming of the scheme of the corridor of rare earth minerals, all the states where these mines are located are going to get a big advantage. Andhra is also one of the states, especially my constituency, Srikakulam, which has many of these deposits, so it's going to be very beneficial for our people. These are strategic and critical areas where there should be zero dependency or to the tune of zero dependency on other countries to manufacture magnets because these are very critical sectors, so this is going to boost our manufacturing in that area and bolster our foundation in this sector also."

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor says, "Last year they had announced Rs 100 crores for the Chabahar port in the budget estimates. Then that went up to Rs 400 crores in the revised estimates, and this year's budget is zero, which looks like we're giving up on the port. In view of the current geopolitical situation, with the squeeze on Iran, the increasing sanctions from Western countries, and the demand that we not cooperate with Iran, it's a very valuable relationship we've had for a long time, but it looks like we appear to be abandoning the idea of spending any money on that port. It may be true that there are practical obstacles. If everything is sanctioned, how do you spend money? And what happens to those who do go there? Because those companies are active in Chabahar, they will be sanctioned by the West as well. Even Indian companies will be sanctioned. So that may be the reason. But it does look like it's a surrender to a particular policy that has been imposed from the outside on Iran. The very fact that there is no money in the budget suggests that."

Congress MP and former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram says, "There is a tariff threat. There is a penal tariff in India. What is she (Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman) doing about it? Why has she not even mentioned it in the budget? Have they mentioned the penal tariffs imposed on the United States? The growing trade deficit, especially with China? The low gross fixed capital formation and the private sector's reluctance to invest in India? The uncertain outlook for FDI flows and persistent portfolio investment outflows. These are questions which should be addressed in the budget. These are the issues which concern the country. These are the issues which concern the economists. These are the issues which concern investors. Therefore, these concerns must be addressed. After you address them, we can weigh the merits or demerits of your answer. But you don't even address them. What do I say?"

BJP MP Kangana Ranaut says, "I think this is a very wholesome budget, especially for women. The sensitive issues of hostels, Ayurveda, and Yoga have been addressed in the budget. Emphasis has been given to increasing tourism in Himachal Pradesh. We are very grateful for this, and we thank them for it."

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha on Sunday questioned the Union Budget 2026, saying it failed to address the country’s pressing challenges of income disparity and unemployment. Speaking in Delhi, Jha asked what concrete measures had been proposed in the budget to tackle the widening income gap and rising joblessness, asserting that these key concerns remain unaddressed in the government’s fiscal roadmap.

Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh says, "It is a very futuristic budget and a budget for the next quarter of a century... it lays out the roadmap for the next 25 years, which also includes the year 2047 of 'Viksit Bharat'... I'm glad that most of the new announcements from the finance minister today are related to technology. The Bio Pharma announcement is the most important: Rs 10,000 crore for the Bio Pharma Shakti mission and the Bio Pharma Shakti scheme..."

Union Minister Piyush Goyal says, "This budget has recognised modern technology. It has ensured that India moves forward by embracing modern technology. We are focusing on permanent magnets. I already mentioned that electronic components in production have doubled, from 20,000 to 40,000. Emphasis has been placed on critical minerals. Along with this, skill development to prepare people for working in these areas has also been emphasised. Data centers are being set up all over the world, and they involve massive investments. So, if data centres are set up in India, and for that, foreign companies that come to India and set up data centres and sell cloud services abroad will be tax-free until 2047. This will attract a lot of investment. It will generate employment, and an ecosystem will be created. Since data centres consume a lot of electricity, we will be able to produce renewable energy on a large scale, which will attract separate investments and also generate foreign exchange earnings. So, this budget, under a very well-thought-out strategy, ensures that new technologies are integrated with our education system and skill development system, and that investments are made in these areas."
 

Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Saturday described the Union Budget 2026 as a “very responsible” and fiscally prudent exercise, pitched against the backdrop of complex global geopolitics and disrupted supply chains. Kant said the government had struck the right balance at a time when global trade and supply chains were facing breakdowns. He said the emphasis on manufacturing, infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies would help India leapfrog in critical areas such as data centres and nuclear power. Kant also pointed to the budget’s focus on sectors impacted by American tariffs, including marine products, textiles, labour-intensive industries and footwear. He said the renewed push towards job-creating sectors like tourism could provide a significant boost to economic growth while generating employment. “Overall, this is a very responsible and fiscally prudent budget,” Kant said.

Kerala Minister P Rajeev on Sunday expressed disappointment over the Union Budget, alleging discrimination against the state and claiming that its long-pending demands were ignored. He said proposals submitted years ago for a statewide high-speed rail network and a rapid transport system announced in the state budget have received no response from the Union government. 

Addressing the political criticism, the Finance Minister said, “Politically, you want to criticise, you’re welcome.” She invited facts to substantiate any claims, stressing her willingness to reply with evidence and highlight the Budget’s provisions for protecting small businesses and the common citizen from economic fluctuations.

Sitharaman pointed out that the Budget includes initiatives for farmers, value addition, women entrepreneurs, and self-help groups. She emphasized that these measures aim to shield ordinary citizens from external economic volatility while promoting inclusive growth and financial security.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman responded to Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Budget, asserting that India’s economic fundamentals are strong. She said the government has introduced multiple schemes for sectors affected by global uncertainties, including small and medium enterprises, textiles, leather, and rural industries.

The DEA Secretary said a large portion of Finance Commission grants to local bodies—both urban and rural—is tied to water and sanitation initiatives. This approach ensures targeted spending to tackle environmental challenges, strengthen sanitation facilities, and address public health concerns effectively.

Thakur highlighted that the Budget includes a substantial allocation for sewage management and drainage infrastructure. These funds aim to improve sanitation, reduce pollution, and enhance urban and rural water management systems across the country.

Anuradha Thakur, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs, said the government is prioritising pollution control. She noted ongoing collaboration with state governments on projects targeting air and water pollution, reflecting the administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability and public health.

The additional allocation for the telecom sector will support various initiatives such as BharatNet, infrastructure development, and modernisation of networks. The government expects this investment to improve broadband penetration, enhance digital services, and strengthen India’s telecom ecosystem.

Scindia stated that BSNL will get Rs 28,473 crore from the telecom outlay to meet capital requirements, including the cost of spectrum and network rollout. The funding aims to strengthen the public sector telecom operator and expand connectivity across the country.

The government has proposed a 38% higher allocation for the telecom sector in Budget 2026, taking the total outlay to Rs 73,990 crore. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the funds are earmarked for projects including BharatNet, network expansion, and meeting the internal requirements of public sector units.