India Budget 2025-26: Industry applauds growth-focused measures

CMAI President: Thumbs up for MSMEs and Cotton Mission

Santosh Katariya, President of The Clothing Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI), highlighted the Cotton Mission and MSME-focused reforms as key positives for the textile industry. He noted that raising investment and turnover limits for MSMEs and reducing customs duty on textile machinery would strengthen manufacturing. On the consumption side, income tax relief and TDS/TCS revisions are expected to increase disposable income, boosting demand for textiles and apparel. However, he cautioned that any increase in GST rates could offset these benefits.

RAI: Consumption & retail growth to gain momentum

Kumar Rajagopalan, CEO of the Retailers Association of India (RAI), praised the increase in the income tax exemption limit to ₹12 lakh, which he believes will revive consumption after a sluggish year. He also welcomed MSME credit enhancements, regulatory reforms, and gig worker recognition, which will strengthen the omnichannel retail ecosystem. Additionally, sector-specific support for footwear, leather, toys, and electronics is expected to help industries scale up. “Overall, this is a progressive, growth-driven budget that strengthens retail, empowers businesses, and prioritises consumption as a key driver of economic momentum,” Rajagopalan said.

PDS Ltd: Strong push for domestic manufacturing & ELS cotton

Sanjay Jain, Group CEO of PDS Ltd, commended the government’s focus on national manufacturing for small, medium, and large industries, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’ programmes. He expressed confidence that the five-year mission to boost Extra Long Staple (ELS) Cotton productivity would improve raw material quality, support textile exports, and reduce import dependency. “We hope that the new reforms towards boosting national manufacturing, spotlights India’s capabilities as an international manufacturing hub. At PDS, we are equally committed to the Make in India initiative and advancing the future of sustainable manufacturing,” said Jain. 

Overall, the budget has been well-received across industries, with optimism surrounding manufacturing growth, consumption revival, and export competitiveness.

ALCHEMPro News Desk (RKS)