Traders in Delhi’s Gandhinagar Market have given mixed reactions to the general budget presented by the Central Government. Traders say that this time’s budget is not going to have much impact and it has not given the required attention to the local markets as well as the problems of small businessmen.

‘This time’s budget is nothing special’- Pradhan Praveen Gupta

Praveen Gupta, shopkeeper and head of Gandhinagar Market, Subhash Road Association, while reacting on the budget, said that ‘this time’s budget is nothing special and it is almost the same as last year’s budget’. He said that there is nothing new in this which can give any special benefit to the district or local level traders. Praveen Gupta said that the budget mainly provides relief for people going abroad, where one tax has been reduced from 5 percent to 2 percent.

After this he said that the market situation has remained weak since the Corona period and the government should take concrete steps keeping in mind the situation of the market and small traders.

At the same time, Jitendra Singh, a shopkeeper of Gandhinagar Market and a member of the organization, gave a relatively positive response to the budget. He said that the GST rates on products have been fixed by the government in a balanced manner, which provides relief to traders. According to him, this will benefit not only the traders but also the consumers in the future.

‘If business is not good, then how will traders be able to pay taxes’?

Vice President of Gandhinagar Market Subhash Road Association and shopkeeper Narendra Sharma said that this time the budget has also been normal like last year. He said that at present business is not going well and the problem will not be solved by merely increasing taxes.

They believe that if business does not run properly, how will traders be able to pay taxes? However, he also said that making children’s education affordable abroad is a positive step. Along with this, he termed increasing the prices of liquor and cigarettes as a good decision.

Ashneer Grover Reaction on Budget: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has presented the Union Budget 2026-27 today, on which people are getting different reactions. In this sequence, former founder of BharatPe, Ashneer Grover has also given his reaction on the budget. Commenting on the budget on social media platform

This budget reminded of my rebuke on Shark Tank to one of the pitchers:

“You absolutely wasted your time – both yours and ours!”

— Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) February 1, 2026

Ashneer disappointed with the budget

Ashneer Grover, one of the judges on Shark Tank India, compared the Finance Minister’s presentation to a weak entrepreneurial pitch, which was long in tone but had little impact. His comment on the budget is becoming increasingly viral on social media. People are getting mixed reactions on this.

Users’ comments on Ashneer’s post

Commenting on Ashneer’s post, a user wrote, “It seems you want to get interrogated by IT/ED.” Another user agreed with Grover and commented, “I agree with you. The entire time was wasted in the budget.” Another user jokingly said, “Haha, what a waste of time.”

It is clear from the announcements made in the budget this year that the government is focusing more on long-term growth instead of providing immediate relief. In this budget, along with increasing expenditure on infrastructure, there was talk of strategic technological mission and tax relief to the middle class.

Also read:

Budget 2026: From She Marts to Girls Hostels… What’s special for women in this budget?

On Sunday (February 1), Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the country’s General Budget 2026 in Parliament. Very positive reactions are coming from the government regarding the budget. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself heard and appreciated the entire budget of the Finance Minister. He himself posted a post on his social media handle while listening to the budget. In which the Chief Minister is listening to the budget live on TV.

CM Yogi said that the General Budget-2026-27 presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is a visionary, all-inclusive and development-oriented budget that will realize the resolve of a developed India.

He said that this budget presents a clear roadmap to fulfill the aspirations of 145 crore countrymen and achieve the goals of Amritkal. CM Yogi said that this is the first time that the budget has been prepared in Dutva Bhawan. In this, three important duties of the nation, rapid economic development, expansion of capabilities of citizens and equal opportunity to every family have been kept at the center.

What did CM Yogi say about Budget 2026?

CM Yogi said that this budget has brought concrete and useful provisions for the welfare and upliftment of farmers, youth, women, entrepreneurs and common citizens. Under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Central Government has over the years implemented comprehensive reforms to create employment, increase productivity and rapid economic progress. The positive effect of which is being seen today in the form of a strong Indian economy amidst global challenges.

He said that after Independence Day 2025, more than 350 reforms have been made like simplification of GST, notification of labor codes. These reforms have helped states in complying with their duties and achieving development goals.

‘The proposal for rejuvenation of old industrial areas is commendable’

CM said that the proposal for rejuvenation of old industrial areas in the budget is commendable. Initiatives like creation of champion MSMEs, promotion of infrastructure development, ensuring long-term energy security and sustainability and development of urban economic zones are going to give a new direction to agriculture, rural employment, industry and innovation in Uttar Pradesh.

Heartfelt gratitude to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for this. The initiative of integrated development of 500 reservoirs and Amrit Sarovars will give new strength to fisheries and rural economy. Promotion of entrepreneurship in animal husbandry sector will provide employment and additional income opportunities to youth and farmers.

An important announcement was made in the urban area – Yogi Adityanath

Yogi Adityanath said that an important announcement has been made in the field of urban development. It has been said that an incentive amount of Rs 100 crore will be given for issuing single municipal bonds worth more than Rs 1,000 crore. Also, Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Agra have been models for issuing municipal bonds. This incentive will further strengthen the urban structure of Uttar Pradesh.
He said that the decision to establish one hostel each for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) institutions in each district in higher education is a big step towards providing quality and accessible education to the youth.

Far reaching announcements made in the health sector in the budget

CM Yogi said that far-reaching announcements have been made in the health sector also. Five medical hubs will be established in the country, one of which will be in Varanasi. Hearty thanks to the Finance Minister for this. Additionally, assistance will be provided to the states in setting up five regional medical centres, which will greatly benefit Uttar Pradesh.

He said that schemes like National Fiber Scheme, Tex-Icon, Samarth 2.0 for the textile and handicraft sector will give new strength to lakhs of artisans and weavers of Purvanchal, Bundelkhand and Western Uttar Pradesh. India Semiconductor Mission 2.0, electronic component manufacturing, chemical parks, container manufacturing and revival of heritage industrial sectors will give Uttar Pradesh a stronger place on the global manufacturing map.

Medical education, pharma park and research activities will directly benefit from Biopharma Shakti Yojana. Initiatives like Rs 10,000 crore SME development fund, liquidity support and ‘Corporate Mitra’ to empower the MSME sector will give impetus to micro and small enterprises, startups and self-employment in the state.

New strength to infrastructure-based development policy

CM Yogi said that increasing the capital expenditure in the budget to ₹ 12.2 lakh crore gives new strength to India’s infrastructure-based development policy. Uttar Pradesh will get huge benefits in the development of expressways, industrial corridors, logistics parks and urban infrastructure. Two major routes like Delhi-Varanasi and Varanasi-Siliguri will directly connect Purvanchal to the National High Speed ​​Network. This will give impetus to tourism and new expansion to business activities.

CM says that the budget has also shown important direction in cultural and heritage tourism. The provision of digital documentation of all the major heritage sites of the country through the National Destination Digital Knowledge Grid is commendable. The inclusion of Sarnath and Hastinapur among the 15 major archaeological sites of the country has brought pride and new opportunities for Uttar Pradesh. This will further strengthen the identity of the state at the global level.

New Income Tax Act, 2025; Will be effective from April, 2026, simplified income tax rules and forms will be notified soon. The common people will get direct benefits from this. Overall, Budget 2026 is a decisive step in the country’s development journey. This gives new heights to all three – development, trust and opportunity. Keeping youth power at the center, this budget emphasizes the government’s resolve to pay special attention to the poor, exploited and deprived communities.

‘Based on the spirit of Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas’

CM Yogi said that the Union Budget 2026 is based on the spirit of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas. It lays the strong foundation of a self-reliant and developed India. Uttar Pradesh will play a leading role in the goal of a developed India by implementing every announcement of this budget.

CM Yogi said that this budget is going to fulfill the hopes of 145 crore Indians and is the roadmap for a developed India. The budget of developed India was presented on Sunday (1 February). This is the budget of new India.

Told the budget as public welfare

The Chief Minister described the budget as very positive and made keeping the future in mind, hence he called it a public-welfare budget. Apart from CM Yogi himself, other ministers and state leaders have praised the general budget.

Union Minister with Independent Charge Jayant Chaudhary called it a very revolutionary budget for the youth and very important for skill development. Apart from this, Home Minister Amit Shah called it a budget for the development of villages and cities.

Opposition expressed disappointment with the budget

Most of the opposition leaders have expressed disappointment over the General Budget 2026. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had already given a statement that what can be expected from the budget of a government from which there is no expectation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it a directionless budget; she called it a budget that would destroy the economy.

Former SP MP Dr ST Hasan even called the budget bogus. Rohini Acharya has said that how will the per capita income increase to strengthen the economy? There is no clarity on this in the budget. Apart from this, most of the opposition leaders have expressed disappointment with the budget.