Chandigarh, Feb 1: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Northern Region on Saturday organised a Union Budget 2026–27 viewing session at its headquarters in Chandigarh, bringing together industry leaders and members to assess the Budget’s implications for economic growth and regional development.
Participants broadly welcomed the Budget, describing it as growth-oriented with a continued focus on capital expenditure, MSMEs, infrastructure, manufacturing, technology, and skilling. The ₹12.2 lakh crore capital expenditure outlay, along with initiatives such as India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, Biopharma Shakti, revival of industrial clusters, and targeted MSME financing, is expected to strengthen supply chains, attract investment, and generate employment across Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and the Delhi NCR.
The Finance Minister’s announcements aimed at regional development also drew attention. Industry representatives noted that the development of archaeological sites into cultural destinations, including Leh, could enhance connectivity and create new opportunities in hospitality, services, and tourism. Similarly, the launch of Bharat Vistar, a multilingual AI platform integrating AgriStack and ICAR practices, is expected to improve farmers’ access to information and decision-making, particularly benefiting agriculture-intensive states in North India.
Commenting on the Budget, Mrs Anjali Singh, Chairperson, CII Northern Region and Executive Chairperson, ANAND Group, said the proposals offer targeted interventions to improve MSMEs’ access to growth capital and support sustainable scaling. She highlighted India Semiconductor Mission 2.0 as a positive step towards strengthening indigenous capabilities in electronics and advanced manufacturing.
Mr Puneet Kaura, Deputy Chairperson, CII Northern Region and Managing Director & CEO, Samtel Avionics, said the Budget reflects a steady and pragmatic approach to strengthening India’s industrial and technology ecosystem, with continued emphasis on MSME capacity building and supply-chain integration.
From a state perspective, Mr Amit Jain, Chairman, CII Punjab and Managing Director, Shingora Textiles Private Limited, said the focus on connectivity, services, and sustainable growth would help generate employment and strengthen linkages between tourism, MSMEs, and regional supply chains.
Highlighting the services and tourism outlook, Mr Vivek Verma, Vice Chair, CII Chandigarh and Managing Director, Spray Engineering Devices Limited, said the Budget’s thrust on services-led growth and sustainable infrastructure would boost connectivity and support local enterprise development.
Mr Sanjay Suri, Vice Chairman, CII Himachal Pradesh and Executive Director, Morepen Laboratories Limited, welcomed the focus on ecologically sustainable hiking and mountain trails, calling it a significant step for Himalayan states to promote responsible tourism while supporting local livelihoods. He also said allocations under Biopharma Shakti would strengthen healthcare and manufacturing capabilities in the region.
Summing up the industry’s response, Ms Rachna Jindal, Regional Director, CII Northern Region, said the Union Budget 2026–27 signals continuity and stability, with measures likely to accelerate investments, enhance MSME competitiveness, and reinforce North India’s role as a key driver of the national economy.
CII Northern Region reiterated its commitment to working with stakeholders to translate the Budget’s policy measures into tangible outcomes for regional growth and development.
