Union Budget 2026 is ‘progressive, purposeful and prudent’: Smriti Irani

Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Smriti Irani described the Union Budget 2026 as “progressive, purposeful and prudent,” asserting that it was driven by the government’s long-term vision of a “Viksit Bharat” rather than immediate political gains.

Reacting after the Budget presentation, Irani said the criticism surrounding the Budget, despite the absence of election-oriented, state-specific announcements, underscored what she termed a recurring political tendency. She said the government had stayed focused on structural growth, particularly through infrastructure expansion.

Irani highlighted the announcement of City Economic Regions and the sharp rise in capital expenditure as key pillars of the Budget. “Today in India Tier-II, Tier-III cities contribute to at least 40% of our GDP,” she said, adding that the Budget had “purposefully ensured that infrastructure in such layered urban expanding population is an issue that needs to be addressed not only through the city economic region announcement but also the Rs 12 lakh crore capex announcement by the government.”

She said the Budget strengthened sectors where India already enjoys a global advantage, especially pharmaceuticals and manufacturing. Referring to the biopharma sector, Irani said, “For instance, the biopharma shakti announcement in itself is a great signal as to how much that particular sub-section of our industry is poised to grow,” she said, noting that “20% of generic medicines of the world are supplied by India” and “60% of the vaccine market is being supplied by India..”

Irani also pointed to measures related to rare earth mineral corridors, observing that despite having the world’s third-largest reserves, India’s share in global production remains modest.

Addressing attacks from opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Irani said recognition of the Budget’s positives was unlikely. “I think the real problem is manifested in that perpetual positioning as an opposition leader,,” she said.

On employment, Irani said the government’s intent was clear through initiatives such as the training of 1.5 lakh carers, adding that the care economy in India was projected to expand significantly by 2030. She also defended higher allocations under the new rural employment scheme, stating that the focus was on asset creation and preventing leakages.

Concluding her remarks, Irani said the Budget’s impact spoke for itself. “It’s a ‘Viksit Bharat ka behtareen Budget’,” she said.