CII Urges Government: Invest in Railways, Cut Fuel Taxes, Boost Public Spending

• CII calls for sustained capital expenditure, consumption demand revival, and manufacturing competitiveness ahead of Union Budget 2026.
• Vinayak Chatterjee expects a 27% jump in infrastructure outlay to ₹14 lakh crore in the upcoming Budget, focusing on 7% GDP spending.
• Public-private partnerships (PPP) are a key focus, with a ₹17 lakh crore pipeline of 283 projects over three years.
• CII suggests allowing pension funds (₹16 lakh crore assets) to invest directly in infrastructure for long-term funding.
• Piruz Khambatta advocates for fuel tax rationalization (GST inclusion or reduction) and pro-manufacturing policies to boost demand and growth.

Why It Matters: CII pushes for increased infrastructure investment, fuel tax cuts, and pro-manufacturing policies to drive economic growth.