India Government – driven by BJP — has presented its interim budget 2019 ahead of the elections in the next six months.
The entire IT industry has welcomed the popular budget from the government though BJP’s rival parties said this budget is aimed to attract voters and implementation of the measures is still doubtful.
The main highlight of the budget 2019 is the likely savings in the hands of middle income group families, farmers and traders. But the cost of living and the growing unemployment will continue impact the savings of the majority of the nation.
Several India IT industry heads have shared their response to Budget 2019. These responses do not point to the future growth of Indian IT industry. Will Indian retail consumers and enterprises increase their spending on IT or technology products.
Budget reactions
Prakash Mallya, vice president, Sales and Marketing Group, Intel
With the India government setting a target to become a $5 trillion economy in the next 5 years, emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G will play a crucial part in this vision. The government has set a goal to create 1 lakh digital villages in the next 5 years taking technology penetration to a new level.
Neeraj Sharma, country head – UNISOC India (formerly Spreadtrum Communications)
The government aims to support technologies like AI by developing a national artificial intelligence portal and has set its eyes on achieving one lakh digital villages in the next 5 years. This serves as a strong growth impetus, with the next wave of digitalization belonging to rural India.
Sangita Reddy, joint managing director of Apollo Hospitals Group
The announcement of a National Centre on AI is a big positive. AI has great potential in transforming and designing new tools which will equip doctors in the fight against non-communicable diseases. Apollo has taken the first step with an Intelligent Platform designed to predict cardiovascular disease risk score for Indians.
Deepak Maheshwari, director – Government Affairs, India, Symantec
Budget proposals such as those on artificial intelligence, one lakh digital villages and the thrust on RFID usage will fuel entrepreneurship and job opportunities.
It would be desirable that the forthcoming full budget later this year mandates setting aside 10 percent of the technology layout of every government project exclusively towards cyber security.
L&T Infotech CEO Sanjay Jalona
Government’s vision for 2030 to place India as a technology-driven and transparent society including leading the world in transport through electric vehicles and energy storage devices emphasizes the role of digital technologies in transforming businesses.
Sachin Dev Duggal, CEO, Engineer.ai
A 2 percent interest subvention for loans to MSMEs can boost entrepreneurial development across India, which can continue to enhance the Indian economy.
Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani
The government’s decision to build 1 Lakh digital villages is a step in the right direction to bridge the urban-rural divide.
Sudhindra Holla, sales director, Axis Communications India
We welcome the government’s focus on the construction and development of railways, airports, highways by announcing 100 more operational airports and doubling the passenger traffic.
The government’s investment in technological sectors like Geospatial and Defense, envisioning India becoming a launch pad for satellites as part of Vision 2030, reaffirms the Digital India vision.
Suman Reddy Eadunuri, MD, Pegasystems India
The government indicates its commitment to use technology as a platform to build a Digital India that reaches every citizen, by transforming 1 lakh villages into digital villages.
Piyush Sinha, deputy managing director of NEC Technologies India
Initiatives like installation of RFID system at major ports to enhance security and remove bottlenecks for seamless movement of traffic across port gates will assist the industry to save costs.
NetApp India President Anil Valluri
The Government provided direction, and ambitious goal for India of becoming a $10 trillion economy by 2030.
Teradata India MD Souma Das
The investment proposed by the government in the field of AI and allied technologies will pave a strong foundation for making revolutionary transformation in the scope of governance and the opportunity to provide improved citizen services experience.
JK Gupta, CFO, Tata Technologies
This is a forward-thinking, growth-oriented budget with a special focus for all, bridging the rural urban divide, while embracing modern digital technologies for the holistic development of the nation.
Lenovo India CEI Rahul Agarwal
Government’s vision to create a digital India across different sectors is the right step forward towards sustaining the phenomenal growth we have experienced as an economy in recent years.
Mahesh Makhija, partner and leader, Digital and Emerging Tech, EY
Artificial intelligence has the potential to deliver large economic and societal impact for India, especially across financial inclusion, healthcare, education, agriculture, and smart cities.
Arun Balasubramian, managing director – Qlik India
The proposed Artificial Intelligence portal will significantly boost research and development measures and allow businesses and sectors to gain data-driven and decision-making insights and advance the nation in competitive global space.
NASSCOM
While the finance minister focused on education, jobs, and start-ups, the industry’s key ask towards abolition of Angel tax, and various GST clarifications did not a find mention.
Priya Mahajan, head of APAC Public Policy & Regulatory Counsel at Verizon.
India Government has undertaken initiatives to foster the developments of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Big Data, Internet of Things (IoT) and Robotics. Government is working closely to empower the MSME sector.
