Kolhapur-based industries feel the Budget has few goodies for them. While consumers would suffer due to the additional service tax burden, the reduction in import duty would result in a flood of foreign imports and disturb indigenous manufacturers.Pradeep Kapadia, chief of Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce, says that the Budget proposals sought to compete with China in the global scenario but might not succeed due to the systemic difference between the two countries. The service tax burden of an additional two percent would put local industries at a disadvantage.Narendra Mate, a local industrial consultant, however, sees some positive aspects in the Budget which might encourage the industrial sector in this region.Encouragement to textiles might boost the powerloom sector at Ichalkaranji while the sops for the health sector may lead to setting up of more medical facilities and hospitals at Miraj. The provision for agro and food processing industries would also encourage development in these sectors in this region, he said.
