Industrial forums welcome Interim Budget

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Tiruchi Zone, has welcomed the Interim Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister Thangam Thenarasu.

“The budget reflects a strong commitment to sustaining Tamil Nadu’s double-digit economic growth [11.19%] and further solidifies the State’s position as a global manufacturing and IT hub. Some announcements will benefit the industrial landscape of Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Perambalur, Ariyalur, Pudukottai and other districts,” says Ajay Jayaraj, Chairman, CII, Tiruchi Zone.

The allocation of ₹374 crore for riverfront development along the Cauvery in Tiruchi and Thanjavur, strengthening the urban and rural infrastructure in central zone and establishment of a grand Chola museum were among the points that were received well.

He said the establishment of the museum in Thanjavur would provide massive boost to heritage tourism, benefiting local hospitality and service industry. The ‘Mudhalvarin Grama Salaigal Membattu Thittam’ had already upgraded 20,484 km of roads with an allocation of ₹8,911 crore, ensuring that rural industrial clusters in districts such as Pudukottai and Ariyalur remained well-connected to major hubs.

Mr. Jayaraj said the Government’s focus on balanced regional development was evident in the widespread expansion of industrial and IT parks. The establishment of a new TIDEL Park in Tiruchi mini IT parks in Pudukottai, Karur, Nagapattinam, and Thanjavur would create thousands of high-quality jobs locally.

With over 40 lakh registered MSMEs in the State, the launch of the TN TREDS platform, benefiting 1,461 enterprises, would provide much-needed liquidity to the small-scale fabrication and engineering units.

While welcoming the financial support to the MSMEs under the TNReDS, N. Kanagasabapathi, president, Tiruchi Export and Import Federation, said the Interim Budget had not given importance to promote trade infrastructure in Tiruchi. There was no announcement on subsidies on air cargo transport and establishment of free trade warehousing in Tiruchi, which had a fast-growing international airport.

M.A. Aleem, a Tiruchi-based neurologist, said the move to screen non-communicable diseases would be useful to reduce heart attack, stroke and early detection and prevention of cancer.

The Interim Budget was received well among textile manufacturers and exporters.

“We sincerely appreciate the Government’s continued commitment to the textile sector, with a dedicated allocation of ₹1,943 crore for the Textiles and Khadi Department. The strong financial support reflects the importance of textiles in driving employment, exports, and MSME growth across Tamil Nadu, particularly in major clusters such as Karur,” said P. Gopalakrishnan, president, Karur Textile Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

“With the Assembly election just two months away, the report card presented by the Government naturally highlights its achievements and glosses over its failures,” said S. Pushpavanam, Secretary, Consumer Protection Council, Tamil Nadu.

Whether the benefits of the several schemes had reached the targeted sector without leakage was for the people to decide. “Tamil Nadu has achieved impressive industrial growth. But it will be tough for the next government to service the debt,” he said in a statement.

“The work done to help the disabled is appreciable. However complaints regarding pattas continue to gather dust in different collectorates. A thorough overhaul of the entire revenue administration is needed to improve service to the people,” he added.