Aaditya Thackeray. File
| Photo Credit: ANI
The Opposition parties in Maharashtra slammed the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as ‘Bihar budget’. While the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), the Congress and the Shiv Sena UBT hit out at the Budget for open favouritism, the State Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its governing allies claimed that it was a ‘revolutionary Budget transforming rural India.’
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“This Budget paves way for a developed India, is all-inclusive, and is a historic Budget for a developed nation. It will make the economy more mature and strengthen it further. It provides relief to the middle class, salaried individuals, youth, farmers, and labourers. The provisions in this Budget will support many of Maharashtra’s ambitious policies. In particular, since Maharashtra is the start-up capital, it will greatly benefit from the new policies,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
But the NCP(Sharad Pawar) national spokesperson Clyde Crasto criticised the government. “The only thing missing today was the presentation of the Budget in Bhojpuri,” he posted on social media platform X, with the hashtag #BiharBudget. “Maharashtra has been completely disappointed yet again. Nothing has been given to the State, while massive allocation has been done for Bihar,” said Congress leader Vijay Waddettiwar.
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Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray posted on social media platform X, “The BJP that spoke of abolition of income tax, around the years 2012-14 before election, at least is now getting more liberal and negotiating with tax payers on slabs and rebates (with a lot of conditions and hidden clauses). This is the power of the citizens that brought them to 240, from a majority government that took us Bhartiyas for granted. Now that the Govt speaks about income tax rebates and exemptions, also do tell us of how to earn that much? Or at least in that bracket? When unemployment is at its highest, there’s no mention of a solution to it.”
Targeting the Union Government for failing to keep its word on the promised allocation, he further stated, “I’m indeed very happy for Bihar, for the mentions it got in the Budget speech. I’m hoping the State has already got the ₹1.25 lakh crore package as promised by the BJP in 2015 and then the big package the BJP promised in 2024. I wonder if the current announcements truly fulfill the needs of the people of Bihar and if this is not a deviation from the ideology of the need for one nation, one poll, by the party that proposed it. However, not a single mention of Maharashtra is an outright insult to the State of Maharashtra — the State that contributes the highest taxes, including one of the highest GST consistently. While the State doesn’t get its due and full GST in time, neither do we get funds for development, the BJP has consistently neglected Maharashtra in all its Budgets since 2014.”
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Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde lauded the Budget and termed it a pathway towards wealth for the common man. “This Budget is like the footsteps of Goddess Lakshmi in a common person’s life. I congratulate PM Modi for it. The salaried class has received revolutionary and unprecedented benefits. They will be able to see a lot of saving in their income. This saved money will enter the market and will strengthen our economy,” said Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Hailing the change in tax slabs for the salaried class, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called it a dream-like Budget for the middle class. “The Budget also includes crucial announcements for the agricultural sector. A special incentive scheme for 100 districts, support for oilseed production and a policy ensuring 100% procurement will greatly benefit farmers. Fishermen will now have access to interest-free loans of up to ₹5 lakh, encouraging business expansion. These measures are expected to increase investment in agriculture, creating new opportunities for farmers and the agricultural sector,” he said.
Deputy CM Ajit Pawar said the Budget is a strong step to make India an economic superpower. “Crores of middle class Indians have received great relief due to the Budget,” he said.
Published – February 02, 2025 10:57 am IST
