Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday praised the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, saying that it prioritises the middle class and underprivileged while fostering state development. However, opposition leaders criticised the budget, calling it a disappointment for Gujarat and alleging that it was designed to favour upcoming elections in Bihar and Delhi.
In a video message, Patel said, “This budget paves the way for holistic development of the states and empowers them to contribute to the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission. Topics that drive the four key engines—agriculture, MSMEs, investment, and exports—have been comprehensively addressed. Gujarat will gain significantly from the Maritime Development Fund and Mission for Cotton Productivity.”
He further said, “Enhanced incentives for MSMEs will accelerate the growth and expansion of Gujarat’s MSME sector. I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending key provisions, including exemptions for financial entities in the IFSC at GIFT City, until 31 March 2030.”
Patel also highlighted tax benefits, saying, “The exceptional tax benefits announced in the Union Budget will lead to increased savings, boost business growth, and attract more investment, ultimately creating additional employment opportunities and benefiting the nation as a whole.” He added, “The new income tax slabs would provide substantial relief to the middle and upper-middle classes.”
On agricultural welfare, Patel remarked, “The budget prioritises the welfare of farmers, focusing on improving agricultural productivity and boosting farmers’ income. The Mission for Cotton Productivity will particularly benefit Gujarat’s farmers. The improved credit limits under the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme will provide much-needed support to farmers, fishermen, and animal husbandry farmers.”
He also commented on infrastructure development, stating, “The PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana for approximately 100 districts with low agricultural productivity will benefit 1.7 crore farmers and promote rural development, helping to curb migration. The establishment of a Rs 25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund to provide long-term credit for the maritime industry is a crucial move, particularly for Gujarat with its extensive coastline. The Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund will enhance the infrastructure of Gujarat’s cities.”
Opposition leaders, however, criticised the budget. Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee president Shaktisinh Gohil argued, “As a Gujarati, I had expectations like all others that there would be special schemes for Gujarat, but there was nothing for the state. Just because Bihar elections are approaching, there is a Makhana Board and SOPs for Patna airport with repeated mention of Bihar.”
Gohil also criticised the budget for ignoring Gujarat’s key industries.
“In Gujarat, the cumin spice trade is in trouble and several people who are employed in this trade are staring at a bleak future. There is no mention of any assistance. Nylon yarn is getting expensive, and the textile industry of Surat was hopeful, but there was no mention of it in the budget. Asia’s biggest ship-breaking yard is in Alang, Gujarat, but there is no mention of it. There is a weak mention of ship-building, but not ship-breaking,” he asserted.
Regarding income tax exemptions, Gohil claimed, “The drum-roll announcement of income tax exemptions up to Rs 12 lakh is an eyewash. There is a fine print and T&C applies. It is when you read that fine print you will know that there is no profit but only cheating. The Finance Minister said that persons earning Rs 12 lakh do not have to pay tax, but the 31st amendment in the Income Tax Act will be brought out next week after the gullible people in Delhi cast their votes.”
Gujarat Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president Isudan Gadhvi also criticised the budget, stating, “So, we have come to a point where the government will release only election-specific budgets. This time it is only about Bihar. What wrong has Gujarat done by giving them votes that it has been completely ignored?”
He added, “There is nothing for the farmers or labourers. For the middle class, which is fighting inflation, they should have announced complete income tax exemption for people earning up to Rs 18 lakh. The current exemption is not even enough to beat inflation. Fuel has not been included under GST, nor has there been any consideration for the Morbi ceramic industry, Gujarat’s textile industry, or the MSME sector. All in all, it is a disappointing election-specific budget only for Bihar.”
The Minority Coordination Committee of Gujarat also criticised the budget, calling it “disappointing and discriminatory.”
Convenor Muhajid Nafees told a section of the media, “Compared to earlier budgets, a decline of Rs 130.46 crore has been effected in pre-matric scholarships, Rs 731 crore reduction in post-matric scholarships, and the merit-cum-means scheme has been slashed by Rs 26.46 crore. There have been budget cuts even in the Maulana Azad Scholarship Scheme. There have also been cuts in the schemes for madrassas. Several minority schemes have also been shut down. It shows the discrimination. As per the population ratio, at least Rs 1 lakh crore should be allocated for the minorities.”
The Union Budget has drawn mixed reactions, with the state government lauding its provisions for Gujarat, while opposition parties and minority groups criticise its alleged lack of focus on key state industries and social welfare.
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