Devendra Fadnavis, the leader of the opposition in Maharashtra, on Friday criticised the state budget and said it is against farmers and Dalits. He said the BJP had expected the state would render relief to people by reducing value aadded tax (VAT) on petrol and diesel, like the centre and other states did, but nothing had been done.
“This budget is against farmers and Dalits and has not given anything to the common man. We were expecting that like the central government and other states, the state government will give relief to people by decreasing VAT on petrol and diesel, but nothing has been done," Fadnavis was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.
Maharashtra finance minister and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar tabled the 2022/23 budget in the Assembly on Friday.
{{/usCountry}}Maharashtra finance minister and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar tabled the 2022/23 budget in the Assembly on Friday.
{{/usCountry}}Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has reduced VAT on natural gas to 3% from 13.5% on CNG to increase the use of environmental friendly fuel in the state.
The budget also aims to bolster water transport in Mumbai, with a proposed expenditure of ₹350 crore in order to reduce burden on the suburban rails and roads.
“The state government intends to connect Vasai, Bhayander, Dombivali, Kalyan, Vashi, Airoli, Thane and Belapur in MMR by water transport," Pawar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
The Mumbai to Navi Mumbai water transport service was commissioned recently, he added.