Impact of Budget rural focus not that big on Mahindra group: Anand Mahindra

In a chat with ET Now, Anand Mahindra, CMD, Mahindra Group, says the budget is not about benefitting the Mahindra group as they merely make one or two inputs that go into farms


ET Now: What do you have to say about the Budget?

Anand Mahindra: The only thing I want to say right now is that we are very heartened by the fact that the government has put agriculture back at number one in its priority. I have said this before right after the budget that to me this was the right priority because it is necessary not just to revive consumption in rural areas but it is also to preserve the social fabric of this country. There has been lot of pressure on farmers after successive bad monsoons and they have suffered a great deal from unseasonal rainfall.

ET Now: You are also focussed on rural economy for your sales, tractor sales and your SUV sales. So that is going to indirectly help you because when the benefits percolate to rural areas, they will come to you.

Anand Mahindra: It is not about benefitting us. We merely make one or two inputs that go into farms. I think this is going to benefit the country. We need to create an investment-led revival of the economy that is for sure but that takes a while before the investment in infrastructure begins to pay off and create jobs. Stimulating the rural economy helps revive consumption in two-thirds of India and frankly it is going to benefit everyone, not just Mahindra.