The main opposition party said the budget, the firstby the Shiv Sena-led government, does not have provisions tomake farmers debt-free as promised by the Maha Vikas Aghadi(MVA) when it took office in November last year.
"There is nothing new for farmers, youth and women init...There is nothing in it for Vidarbha, Marathwada and NorthMaharashtra.
"There is mention about provisions for Konkan region(in the budget). But there is nothing concrete for theregion," Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis of the BJPtold reporters outside the legislature building complex here.
"Ajit Pawars budget does complete injustice toregions like Vidarbha and Marathwada," he said.
Fadnavis termed Finance Minister Ajit Pawar's budgetaddress as "public speech which lacked analysis".
He alleged the budget does not have provisions to makefarmers debt-free as promised by the MVA and charged theruling parties with not fulfilling the assurance of helpingpeasants hit by untimely rains last year.
The former chief minister criticised the governmentfor increasing, by Re 1 per litre, cess on fuel, saying itwill have a cascading effect on commoners and result in hikein prices of several services and consumer items.
"The finance minister has also made jugglery ofnumbers as he has not given break up of total outlay intosalary and actual proposed expenditure," Fadnavis said.
However, he welcomed the government's announcement torelaunch the 'Jalyukta Shivar' water conservation scheme undera new name.
"The scheme was essential (to fight drought). Hence, Iwelcome that it has been relaunched," said Fadnavis, underwhose chief ministerhip the scheme was introduced.
Asked about the estimated revenue deficit ofRs 9,510.71 crore, Fadnavis said, Either the revenue deficitwould increase further by the end of March or they will cutthe capital expenditure to keep it under check."
Another BJP leader and former Finance Minister SudhirMungantiwar said the budget has neither any "arth" (meaning)nor reflects any "sankalp" (resolution). ENM NDRSY RSY