Jalandhar: The Union Budget has received mixed reactions from stakeholders across all sectors.

Jalandhar: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, which received mixed reactions from stakeholders in the industry, sports, and agriculture sectors. Expressing concern over the industrial sector, Harwinder Singh Chitkara, president of the Punjab Rubber Association, said the budget lacked a strong focus on research and development, which he termed crucial for industrial growth. “Nothing is being done on the research aspect in the industry, which is most essential for its growth. Already, manufacturers are becoming traders. Therefore, it is very important to do something about research,” he said. Commenting on the allocation for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Chitkara said the announced funds were insufficient. “The funds released for MSMEs are like a drop in the ocean and will not be beneficial,” he said. Mukul Verma of Savi International welcomed the government’s vision for the sports goods industry but cautioned that effective implementation would be key.
“The budget’s vision for the sports goods industry is clear, but its success will depend on execution. The focus on advanced research design and material science is a significant step towards moving up the value chain from basic manufacturing,” he said. Verma further added that strengthening domestic industrial clusters could improve the efficiency and global competitiveness of Indian manufacturers. However, he pointed out that boosting domestic demand would be a major challenge. “Sustained private investment often awaits clear signals of growing consumer demand,” he said. The sports sector, however, largely welcomed the budget announcements. Dr. Ranbir Singh, Principal of Government Sports College, termed it a “great budget for sports.” He said, “Today, the minister announced the launch of a new Khelo India Mission aimed at transforming India’s sports sector over the next decade.
This is a great step and will create many opportunities for new talent in the country.” The government has allocated ₹500 crore to promote sports goods manufacturing, which is expected to further strengthen this sector. In the agricultural sector, the reactions were cautious. Kulwinder Singh, a potato farmer from Musapur village, said that while many promises have been made, long-standing problems at the ground level have not been addressed. He said, “Many promises have been made, but there is no discussion on the ground-level problems. We really want that if promises are made, they should be fulfilled.” Overall, the Union Budget 2026-27 has been viewed with optimism in some sectors and skepticism in others, with stakeholders emphasizing the need for effective implementation and execution of the announced measures.