BJP cheers, Congress says botched budget

Nagpur: The Maharashtra Budget tabled by deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar in the Assembly on Friday elicited mixed response from political leaders and public figures, highlighting both commendation and criticism.BJP state chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule praised it for its focus on development, while Congress MLC Abhijeet Wanjari and Bahujan Vichar Manch’s Narendra Jichkar expressed concerns about its inclusivity.MPCC president Nana Patole said, “This is the first Budget in state history that does not specify funds allocated to departments like agriculture, irrigation, social justice, and housing. There are no provisions for department-wise funding, raising concerns about transparency and targeted support.”Bawankule appreciated the additional budget, emphasizing that it strengthens the foundation of development, particularly in research, health, agriculture, and tribal welfare. The ‘Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ provides Rs 1,500 per month to women aged 21 to 60, and the ‘Chief Minister’s Annapurna Yojana,’ which promises three free cylinders per year to women. Congress MLC Abhijeet Wanjari criticized the Budget, claiming it was designed to benefit the ruling ‘Mahayuti’ in the upcoming elections.Narendra Jichkar of the Bahujan Vichar Manch alleged financial misconduct. “Maharashtra is under a debt of Rs 7 lakh crore; the state ranks sixth in terms of per capita income. The Budget has not given a thought to this aspect,” he said.Former corporator Parineeti Fuke appreciated ‘CM’s Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ and the provision of three free gas cylinders, calling these steps significant for women’s welfare.Ashish Deshmukh, a former BJP MLA, praised the focus on Vidarbha, citing subsidies of Rs 5,000 per hectare for cotton, uninterrupted power supply during the day, a solar energy scheme providing free electricity for farmers, a subsidy of Rs 5 per litre for cow milk farmers, and irrigation from the Wainganga-Nalganga project.State forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar highlighted Maharashtra’s leading economic position in the country and praised Ajit Pawar’s budget.Principal advisor at LITU Mohan Pande hailed the introduction of fee waiver for girls from OBC and EWS families pursuing higher education. BJP city general secretary Sandip Gawai emphasised on the Budget's potential benefits for farmers and youths in Vidarbha. MLC Pravin Datke appreciated the Budget for addressing the needs of the Barui community, predominantly found in Amravati district.Padma Shri Shankarbaba Papalkar expressed his disappointment over the Budget’s omission of provisions for the divyang (disabled) population. “The govt should make a provision for divyang who constitute more than 50 lakh of state population,” he said.
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