Industries and exporters in the region today welcomed the tax free budget, saying that the people will get benefit after implementation of the schemes.

Hailing the budget, Tirupur Exporters’ Association President, Raja Shanmugham, said the allocation of Rs. 2,000 Crore for the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Fund would be helpful for the development of the infrastructure which is need of hour for the industry.

“The allocation of Rs.150 Crore for the Tamil Nadu Skill development Mission to train one lakh youth is a welcome step,” he said.

The exporters also welcomed the proposal to strengthen single window system in the Tamil Nadu Industries Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau further by making it online so that investors can get all approvals expeditiously in a hassle free manner at one place.

While noting down the allocation of Rs.532 Crore for MSME sector in the budget, Shanmugham lauded the doubling of allocation of capital subsidy to MSME units from Rs.80 Crore to Rs.160 Crore which will be helpful for MSME units in Tirupur, as more than 80 per cent of total units in Tirupur is under MSME categories.

He also appreciated for launching of a Special Export Promotion and Marketing support scheme at an outlay of Rs.10 Crore to enhance the competitiveness of MSME units in domestic and international markets.

The local chapter of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) termed the budget as growth oriented with thrust on inclusive development.

In a statement, its chairman S Narayanan, Chairman, thanked the Government for considering many of its recommendations, especially in the areas of infrastructure development in Tamil Nadu.
“The announcement of allocation of Rs.1,400 crore for the Smart Cities Mission is a welcome move,” he said.

Increased support to farmer producer organisations is a potential game changer if implemented well based on clusters, more impetus on cold chain infrastructure, backward integration and food processing policy will be advantageous for Food Processing sector.

The budget addresses the water shortage issues and.replacing State Planning Commission with State Development Policy Council is a welcome move and the allocation of Rs.150 crore to provide vocational training to youth in Tamil Nadu would help in addressing the employability of youth in the State, Narayan said.

Kongunadu Jananayaka Katchi founder-convenor, G K Nagaraj welcomed the allocation of Rs.250 crore to the long pending Avanashi-Athikadavu water project.