Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati

Amaravati, Feb 1: Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP president Chandrababu Naidu welcomed the Union Budget 2026-27, calling it “well-balanced” and “forward-looking,” reflecting the aspirations of a fast-growing India.

Speaking at Kuppam, Naidu congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, expressing confidence that the Budget will support India’s goal of becoming a developed economy by 2047. He highlighted that women, farmers, and youth have been prioritized, and that MSMEs will benefit from measures aimed at boosting self-reliance.

“The Budget provides clear direction and momentum, supporting technologies like AI, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure,” Naidu said. He emphasized that the Budget aligns with short, medium, and long-term goals to enhance living standards and ease of living.

The chief minister pointed out that Andhra Pradesh will benefit from high-speed rail corridors connecting Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Tirupati, and Amaravati, as well as dedicated rare earth corridors, opening opportunities in heavy mineral extraction and electronics manufacturing.

Naidu also highlighted the Rs 40,000 crore allocation for semiconductors under ISM 2.0, along with support for the textile, tourism, and hospitality sectors. “Tourism in Araku and other regions will receive a boost, while tax exemptions for data centres until 2047 will make India a hub for AI-supported facilities, creating jobs in Visakhapatnam,” he noted.

For the first time, the Budget mentioned development of the logistics sector, which Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is keen to leverage for economic growth. He expressed hope that the Budget will complement the state government’s ongoing initiatives, including Ease of Doing Business reforms and MSME promotion.