Kuppam (Andhra Pradesh), Feb 1 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday welcomed the Union Budget, describing it as forward-looking and aligned with the state government's development priorities.

Describing the Union Budget as "well-balanced and forward-looking", he said it reflects India's self-reliance and will consolidate the country's position in manufacturing.

"The Union Budget is forward-looking and aligns with the state government's development priorities," Naidu said, addressing a press conference here.

The CM congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for presenting a "well-balanced budget".

The budget's emphasis on logistics, mentioned for the first time, aligned with the state government's focus on the sector and would generate large-scale livelihood opportunities, he said.

"The Union Budget is well balanced, forward looking. The Budget reflects self reliance and will consolidate our position in manufacturing. This would strengthen the ease of doing business. The Budget would play a great role in promoting and strengthening MSMEs," Naidu said.

He further said women, farmers and youth are given top priority and that the Budget would contribute to their empowerment.

Naidu said the Budget ultimately contributes to Prime Minister Modi's vision of India becoming the world's third-largest economy and achieving Viksit Bharat (a developed nation).

He said the budget also provided clear direction for next-generation reforms, with a strong focus on artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, renewable energy and the 'One Nation One Grid' vision.

Naidu said the proposed high-speed rail corridors connecting Hyderabad-Bengaluru, Hyderabad-Chennai and Bengaluru-Chennai would significantly benefit Andhra Pradesh, covering regions such as Tirupati, Amaravati, Palamaner and Chittoor.

He said Andhra Pradesh's inclusion in the dedicated Rare Earth corridor would open opportunities for extracting high-value heavy minerals and strengthening critical electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.

The chief minister said the allocation of Rs 40,000 crore under India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 for semiconductors, along with incentives for textiles, tourism and hospitality, would boost employment and economic activity in the southern state.

The TDP supremo said tax exemptions for data centres till 2047 would help India emerge as a global data centre hub, noting that several major data centres, including Google facilities, were coming up in Visakhapatnam. PTI GDK MS KH

Union Budget advances manufacturing and digital infrastructure with semiconductor funding, data centre tax breaks, logistics and AI focus. The Budget allocates Rs 40,000 crore to the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, extends tax exemptions for data centres until 2047, and emphasises logistics, MSME support and incentives for textiles, tourism and hospitality to boost employment. It advances policy priorities in AI, advanced technologies, renewable energy and One Nation One Grid, proposes high speed rail corridors linking major southern cities, and includes regions in a dedicated Rare Earth corridor to underpin electronics and semiconductor manufacturing.