A review meeting was organised at South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) over the interim budget. The SGCCI members were unhappy with the budget and finally came to the conclusion that the budget was nothing but an extension of the work done by the UPA government in the previous years.

SGCCI president Chetan Shah said: "We don't call it a 'budget' and we are totally disappointed with it. The industry is passing through a critical phase and trade and industry have not been given any focus; rural development, agriculture and minorities have been accorded importance. We were expecting proactive action in terms of relief package for the sick export-based industries and SMEs (Small Medium Enterprise). The money spent for the different government schemes is generated by trade and industry."

The Chairman of Federation of Indian Art Silk Weaving Industry, Arun Jariwala, said: "The industries like textiles, gems and jewellery are suffering heavy losses. What would be the position of the industry four months hence? This was a good opportunity to give some package to the industries. Customs and excise duties must be reduced."

Rohit Mehta, the joint secretary of Surat Diamond Association, said the gem and jewellery industry has been the worst hit, as lakhs of diamond workers have lost their jobs.

"Partiality has been done to the diamond industry. One thing we have noticed in the interim budget is that they have extended the 2 percent subsidy on pre-shipment and post-shipment finance, which was earlier till March end but now has been extended till September end. Our demand was for 4 per cent subsidy, which wasn't fulfilled," he said.