PATNA: Trade and industries bodies in the state gave a mixed bag of reactions as finance minister Nirmala Sitaraman presented Union Budget on Saturday. While some trade bodies praised the announcements in agriculture sector, and changes in income tax slabs, others expressed disappointment over less focus on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and co-operative industries.

PK Agarwal, president of Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI) said: “We expected the budget to focus on MSME sector and small-scale units, and allot special packages to these sectors.”

Abhishek Kumar, general secretary of Bihar Entrepreneurial Association (BEA) on the other hand, hailed the budgetary provisions relate to agriculture sector.

“With several benefits, including solar pumps and cold storage, given to the agricultural sector, we can expect Bihar to grow economically in the coming years. Besides, the initiative of creating portals for the much talked about ‘organic products’, will help in increasing employment in Bihar,” he said.

Terming the budget ‘growth oriented’ Bihar Industries Association (BIA) president Ramlal Khetan said: “The budget will have an overall positive impact in various sectors, especially the agricultural sector. Keeping in mind the long term benefits, the budget would help poor and lower middle class people, who are mostly dependent on rural industries.”

He, however, expressed disappointment over no mention of special category status for Bihar, which has been a long- pending demand of BIA.

Realtors on the other hand, welcomed the union budget. “We appreciate the budgetaory provisions for real estate sector. The term for taking loans for ‘affordable houses’ has been extended by one year. Besides, major government investments have been announced for infrastructure development, including roads, airports and water supply. Simplification of tax regime is also a great step,” said Sachin Chandra, president of Bihar chapter of Builders’ Association of India (BAI).

