The Mysore Industries Association (MIA) has termed the State Budget 2026-27 presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday as a “Balanced Budget” that is “both sweet and bitter like Ugadi.”In a statement here on Friday, MIA president P. Vishwanath and general secretary Suresh Kumar Jain said the State Budget offers a mixed outcome for Mysuru. While the budget does not provide any major or “bumper” allocation specifically for Mysuru, it includes several moderate and satisfactory initiatives.The MIA, a representative organisation of industries in Mysuru, Mandya, and Chamarajanagar, said no significant announcements have been made for the industrial sector, particularly for the MSME sector. “The government has only reiterated its earlier commitment made in the previous budget regarding the formulation of a special MSME policy.”However, the announcement regarding the development of 10 MSME clusters across the State is a welcome step and aligns with the long-standing demand of industry associations. In this context, there is hope that the Printing Cluster and SC/ST Industrial Cluster proposed in Mysuru will receive approval and implementation, the MIA said.During his earlier tenure, Mr. Siddaramaiah introduced a scheme providing a 25% subsidy, along with four easy instalments, for KIADB industrial plots for entrepreneurs belonging to Backwards Classes 1, 2A, and 2B. The succeeding government later withdrew this scheme. “Despite continuous representations by our association for its restoration, the present budget has only announced 20% reservation for these categories instead of the subsidy, which is disappointing,” the MIA statement noted.However, the MIA said that the announcement of free electricity for weavers operating looms up to 10 HP and concessional electricity tariffs for looms between 10 HP and 20 HP, with an allocation of ₹22 crore, reflects the government’s concern for the welfare of the working class and the weaving community.The proposal to establish a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Cluster on 15 acres in Mysuru, as well as the plan to develop an Aerospace Park near Mysuru Airport, are encouraging initiatives for the city’s industrial growth.However, it is “disappointing” that the government has not released the pending amount of ₹3 crore that is already sanctioned for the Mysuru Export Centre, the MIA said before adding that the Budget does not include any details of the Hebbal-Tandya Special Investment Region that the Chief Minister had announced earlier.It is also regrettable that the budget does not outline specific plans for strengthening industrial infrastructure or for reviving sick industries, the MIA said while hoping that these concerns will be addressed in the coming months through appropriate policy measures.Published - March 06, 2026 06:30 pm IST