National Employers Federation Chairman says it lays strong foundation for growth and Jobs
Team News Riveting
Raipur, February 2
National Employers Federation (NEF) Chairman Pradeep Tandon today welcomed the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, calling it a forward-looking and data-backed Budget that reinforces India’s growth trajectory while keeping industry competitiveness and employee welfare at its core.
Tandon noted that the continued emphasis on capital expenditure of over ₹10 lakh crore, sustained support to manufacturing and MSMEs, and targeted incentives for private investment are expected to accelerate economic activity and employment generation. “Every ₹1 lakh crore spent on infrastructure has a strong multiplier effect on jobs—both direct and indirect—across steel, cement, logistics, engineering, and services. This Budget clearly recognises that,” he said.
Highlighting the employee perspective, Tandon said the Budget’s focus on skilling, formal employment, social security coverage, and income stability will benefit millions of workers. With India adding nearly 8–9 million people to the workforce every year, measures aimed at skill upgradation, apprenticeships, and productivity-linked growth are timely and essential.
“The push for MSMEs—who employ over 11 crore people—through easier credit, simplified compliance, and technology adoption will directly translate into job security and wage stability for employees at the grassroots,” he added.
Tandon further observed that investments in education, healthcare, and urban infrastructure will improve workforce quality and reduce cost-of-living pressures on salaried and blue-collar employees alike, thereby enhancing overall industrial productivity.
“This Budget reinforces a simple but powerful idea: industry growth and employee welfare are not competing objectives, but complementary ones. A skilled, secure, and motivated workforce is the strongest driver of sustainable economic growth,” Mr. Tandon said.
The National Employers Federation looks forward to effective and time-bound implementation of the announced measures and reaffirms its commitment to working with government and stakeholders to ensure that the benefits of growth reach enterprises and employees across sectors.
