Introduction: A Critical Moment for India’s Future
You need to pay close attention to next week.
On February 1, 2026, the Finance Minister will present the Union Budget in Parliament. This is not just another annual financial statement. This budget will decide whether India moves decisively toward becoming a global manufacturing leader or remains caught in prolonged planning cycles.
The stakes have never been higher. Global supply chains are shifting, geopolitical uncertainty is rising, and investors are searching for stable, scalable markets. Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy, Chairman of the Premidis Group, believes India is standing at a defining crossroads.
According to him, the era of incremental policy changes is over. What the country needs now is execution-driven governance, not more announcements.
Why Budget 2026 Matters More Than Ever
Over the past five years, India has laid important groundwork. Highways have expanded, logistics corridors have improved, and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes have attracted global attention.
However, Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy argues that these efforts must now translate into outcomes on the ground. Factories, workers, and entrepreneurs need policies that remove friction and accelerate growth in real time.
Budget 2026, therefore, must become a performance budget, focused squarely on results.
Demand 1: Decentralize Green Energy Immediately
India’s industrial growth is now constrained by one major bottleneck — energy reliability.
While large solar parks have contributed to capacity expansion, they remain expensive, slow to deploy, and dependent on long transmission networks. This approach alone cannot support fast-growing industrial states such as Andhra Pradesh.
The Rooftop Revolution
Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy proposes a shift toward Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE). His expectation from Budget 2026 is clear:
- Aggressive tax incentives for rooftop solar installations
- Simplified approvals for factory-level power generation
- Direct subsidies for industrial battery storage
Today, excessive bureaucracy discourages manufacturers from installing their own energy systems. Removing these barriers would allow factories to operate independently, reduce costs, and stabilize output.
As Mr. Reddy emphasizes, industrial independence begins with energy independence.
Demand 2: Grant Infrastructure Status to Real Estate
The real estate sector remains one of India’s largest employment generators. Yet, high financing costs continue to stall projects and inflate housing prices.
From the perspective of the Premidis Group, the impact is visible across the value chain. When projects slow down:
- Cement demand declines
- Steel consumption weakens
- Daily-wage laborers lose income
A Long-Overdue Policy Shift
Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy urges the government to finally grant Infrastructure Status to the real estate sector in Budget 2026.
This single reform would:
- Reduce borrowing costs for developers
- Unlock long-term, low-interest funding
- Accelerate affordable housing delivery
Affordable housing is not just a social objective. It is an economic necessity. A productive workforce cannot thrive without access to stable, affordable homes.
Demand 3: Move from Skilling to Employing
India has invested heavily in skill development programs. However, skills without jobs do not create prosperity.
Wage-Linked Incentives Over Capital Incentives
Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy calls for a structural shift in industrial incentives. Instead of rewarding companies primarily for capital expenditure, Budget 2026 should prioritize job creation.
He proposes Wage-Linked PLI Schemes, where:
- Companies are rewarded for hiring more workers
- Employment generation receives higher tax benefits than automation alone
- Manufacturing growth and employment rise together
In his view, automation should complement human labor, not replace it entirely. Sustainable growth requires people to be at the center of industrial expansion.
The Premidis Group Vision: Growth With Responsibility
The policy priorities outlined above reflect the core philosophy of the Premidis Group — growth must be balanced with social responsibility.
Unchecked industrial expansion without social inclusion weakens demand. Conversely, welfare without economic productivity is unsustainable. Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy believes Budget 2026 must bridge this gap by making responsible growth profitable.
This is how long-term economic stability is built.
Conclusion: From Ambition to Action
Budget 2026 is more than a financial document. It is a message to global investors about India’s readiness to lead.
According to Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy, the path forward is clear:
- Strengthen decentralized energy systems
- Reduce construction and housing costs
- Reward companies that create jobs
If these priorities are addressed, India can move decisively from ambition to execution.
You can also explore our Gold Investment Strategies analysis for broader economic insights or review the latest Official Budget Notifications to track policy developments as they unfold.
About the Author
Upalapadu Prathakota Shiva Prasad Reddy is the Chairman of Premidis Group, recognized for his leadership in sustainable industrial development and social welfare initiatives across India.
