Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said here on Saturday that the Union Budget for 2020-21 had done “injustice” to Mumbai and Maharashtra, which were considered twin engines for the country’s development, and had merely sold dreams to the Youth, farmers and common man.
Slamming Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman for her budget for 2020-21, Uddhav said: “The Union budget has done injustice to Mumbai and Maharashtra. The budget does not seem to have anything for Mumbai in terms of funds for the infrastructure projects like Metro. Nor has it made any allocated for the development of the sub-urban railway lines, considered the lifelines for Mumbaikars”.
“In 2030, India will become the youngest nation in the world. But, the Finance Minister has not created any concrete avenues for creation for jobs for the youths. Though there is a possibility of creation of a large number of jobs, the minister has made very little allocation for the development of tourism,” the chief minister said.
“The Centre’s decision to sell its stakes in IDBI, LIC and privatise Railways reflects the sad state fiscal situation in the country,” Uddhav said.
“The budget has not made adequate allocation for the child welfare. Nor has the Centre bothered much about the welfare of senior citizens and specially-abled people in the country,” the chief minister said.
NCP president Sharad Pawar made no bones about his displeasure over the Union budget which, he said, lacked vision and clarity on doubling farmers’ income. “Budget focuses on Agriculture Warehousing but lacks vision and clarity on Doubling Farmers' income. It is still a distant dream,” Pawar tweeted.
“Automobile sector has been completely ignored and unemployment issue is not addressed fairly. It was the lengthiest speech but lacked farsightedness and direction,” the NCP chief said.