Former Maharashtra minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray has criticised the Union Budget 2025, highlighting the absence of any specific allocations for Maharashtra despite it being the highest tax-contributing state.
Responding to the Union Budget in a social media post, Thackeray pointed out what he sees as a stark contrast between Bihar's prominent mentions and Maharashtra's complete omission. "Not a single mention of Maharashtra is an outright insult to the state that contributes the highest taxes, including one of the highest GST consistently," he said.
Budget 2025:
— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) February 1, 2025
• The bjp that spoke of abolition of income tax, around the years 2012-14 before election, atleast is now getting more liberal and negotiating with tax payers on slabs and rebates (with a lot of conditions and hidden clauses).
This is the power of the citizens…
The former minister questioned the budget's approach to unemployment, noting that while the government speaks about income tax rebates, it fails to address how citizens can earn enough to qualify for these benefits. "When unemployment is at its highest, there's no mention of a solution to it," Thackeray remarked.
On infrastructure development, Thackeray criticised the government's capital expenditure plans, alleging a "contractor-based economy" where "favourite contractors get contracts" resulting in "horrible roads" on major Maharashtra highways. He highlighted that while rupees 11.1 lakh crores was proposed last year, only rupees 10.1 lakh crores were actually spent.
Regarding aviation infrastructure, Thackeray questioned the government's UDAAN scheme announcement for 120 new airports, specifically noting the omission of Pune's new airport despite local demand and representation. He also raised concerns about previously launched airports that have since ceased operations.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) leader also addressed everyday challenges facing citizens, including increased transport fares and food inflation. "The common person still grapples with a hike in State Transport Buses and auto rickshaw fare hike in Maharashtra. The people still face inflation in daily market buys like onion, tomato, potato," he stated, questioning the government's strategy to make essential items affordable without reducing farmers' income.
In a pointed reference to BJP's past promises, Thackeray sarcastically remarked on Bihar's budget allocations, wondering if the state had received the rupees 1.25 lakh crores package promised by BJP in 2015 and subsequent promises made in 2024.