NEW DELHI: Former Prime Minister and JD(S) MP H.D. Deve Gowda expressed support for the Union Budget 2026-27 during a discussion in the Rajya Sabha. He praised its overall direction while calling for greater emphasis on employment, inclusive growth and regional priorities.
Deve Gowda appreciated the budget's focus on economic reforms, tax simplification and structural changes intended to sustain growth in the face of global challenges.
He, however, cautioned that growth by itself is not enough unless employment becomes the central concern of policy.
The former PM pointed out that manufacturing and MSMEs can generate substantial jobs only when backed by strong skilling initiatives, local supporting ecosystems, affordable credit and predictable regulations.