Opposition MLAs burn budget copies outside Maharashtra Assembly

Expressing disappointment over the announcement made by Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar in the state budget for 2017-18, the opposition MLAs burnt copies of the same outside the assembly today.

Despite demands from the Shiv Sena and other opposition parties, Mungantiwar did not make any announcement on the loan waiver for farmers. The government, however, allocated Rs. 8, 233 crore for various irrigation projects for the farmers.

"Maharashtra's growth rate for 2016-17 was 9.4 percent and we aim to take this at least in double digit in the coming year (2017-18). For farmers, Rs. 8,233 crores has been allocated for water resources and Rs. 2,812 crore has been allocated for Prime Minister's irrigation scheme proposed for year 2017-18," Mungantiwar said.

Liquor is set to cost more from April 1, as the state has proposed to hike the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 23.08 percent to 25.93 percent on the MRP of country and foreign liquor.

Earlier in the day, when Mungantiwar started his budget speech in the assembly, the opposition members protested with banners following which the speaker had to request the opposition to go out.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the government was willing to allocate financial resources along with the Centre to help 31 lakh farmers reeling under debt of Rs. 30,500 crore.