The Shiv Sena expressed worry about Maharashtra’s financial condition, citing a debt ranging from Rs 9.5 to Rs 10 lakh crore. While honoring late Ajit Pawar’s fiscal discipline, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis faced criticism for the current budget lacking the same rigor. The party highlighted concerns about funding grand announcements amidst reports of a depleted state treasury.
The editorial in the party’s mouthpiece, Saamana, criticized the state’s economic discipline, cautioning against celebrating festivals with borrowed money. Despite a vision for infrastructure development by 2047, the editorial suggested a disconnect from immediate economic challenges. The government’s massive interest payment of Rs 64,000 crore and the debt burden per citizen of Rs 82,000 raised alarms about economic sustainability.
Questioning the feasibility of the Chief Minister’s ambitious schemes, the editorial pondered the funding source for these initiatives. The budget’s emphasis on job creation through ‘Invest Maharashtra’ was met with skepticism, urging the government to provide a transparent assessment of employment outcomes. While acknowledging the farmer loan waiver announcement, concerns were raised about the scheme’s implementation and potential delays for eligible farmers.
The Shiv Sena criticized the Chief Minister’s pillars for development as mere rhetoric, labeling them as a “carrot” approach. The editorial underscored the need for concrete actions to address the state’s economic challenges, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and inclusive governance practices.
