VRAS protests Maha Budget, claims Vidarbha issues ignored

Nagpur: Alleging that the latest state Budget fails to address long-standing developmental gaps in the region, Vidarbha Rajya Andolan Samiti (VRAS) held a protest near Gandhi statue at Variety Chowk on Sunday evening.Gathering around 4pm, demonstrators raised slogans condemning the financial plan and accusing the govt of ignoring the region's concerns. Placards and chants during the agitation targeted finance minister and the state leadership.
Speakers at the protest highlighted fiscal indicators outlined in the Budget, stating that the state is projected to operate with a significant deficit while carrying a mounting debt burden running into several lakh crores.VRAS youth wing head Mukesh Masurkar said such financial pressure raises serious concerns about the administration's ability. "When the state itself is under such financial strain, it becomes difficult to expect meaningful steps towards clearing the backlog that accumulated in sectors like irrigation and infrastructure in this region," he said.Members also referred to financial commitments linked to public works, claiming that large sums were earmarked to settle contractor payments pending for several years, while a substantial portion of dues still remains outstanding.Agriculture-related concerns were also raised during the gathering, with VRAS representatives stating that earlier announcements regarding relief measures for farmers created expectations among cultivators but are yet to translate into comprehensive support on ground.Masurkar further pointed to broader socio-economic challenges confronting the region, including agrarian distress, nutrition-related health issues, migration of youth in search of livelihoods, and limited industrial opportunities, calling for policy attention specifically aimed at eastern Maharashtra.Participants included former Vidarbha president Arun Kedar, district president Prashant Nakhate, city president Naresh Nimje, along with activists Gulabrao Dhande, Ganesh Sharma, Rahul Bansod, Girish Titarmare, Madhuri Chauhan, Bhojraj Sarode, Alkatai Popatkar, Haribhau Panbude, Vijay Mondekar, Anil Kesharwani, Babitatai Nakhate, Kiran Banarse, Ramkrishna Paunikar, Chandrashekhar Puri, Ratnakar Jagtap, Madan Navghare, Kirantai Banarse, Manishatai Puri, Tejram Revatkar, Chandrashekhar Shende, and Madan Dhurve, among others.