Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 1 : Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and Maharashtra MLA Aaditya Thackeray took a jibe at the Mahayuti-led Maharashtra government on Tuesday, calling it an "April fools' government" and criticising them for backtracking on their campaign promises.
The UBT leader hit out at the state government over not providing farm loan waivers, despite it being announced previously. Similarly, he alleged that the government will be closing off the women's welfare scheme, Ladki Bahin Yojana.
"Today, it is April fools' day and for us we know it as 'achey din' (good days). This government is April fools' government. Earlier, Chief Minister (Devendra Fadnavis) said that farmers' loans would be waived off now Deputy CM (Ajit pawar) says nothing as such will be done," Thackeray said during a press conference in Mumbai.
"Ladki Bahin Scheme is going to close very soon, government has no funds to give beneficiaries," he added.
Criticising the government further, he alleged that there has not been proper management of waste and the roads are of "inferior quality."
"There is no proper management of solid waste and roads are of very inferior quality in the city. Deonar's dumping ground is now given to Adani corporation and this government is silent on the deal," he said.
Claiming that the state's financial capital, Mumbai, is being "looted" by the Mahayuti government, he urged citizens to write a letter to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on May 1 to highlight their concerns.
"Mumbai is looted by Mahayuti government and top most business men. I am appealing to every mumbaikars that you have to write a letter to BMC on 1st May to highlight your concerns and warn them that you are not going to pay any taxes to BMC," he said.
Aaditya Thackeray's jibe came as few days ago, DCM Ajit Pawar, while addressing concerns about loan waivers, had told citizens that they must repay their crop loans by March 31.
He acknowledged that election promises don't always translate into actions and that decisions will be made considering current circumstances.
"Whether it's Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis or Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, the focus remains on working for the welfare of people. Recently, many citizens raised concerns about the election manifesto's promise of loan waivers. As of March 28, I want to clearly inform the people of Maharashtra through this programme to repay their crop loans by March 31," Pawar, who is also the state's Finance Minister had said on March 29.
Promises made during elections don't always translate directly into actions. Considering the current circumstances, decisions will be made in the future. However, for now and even next year, loans taken must be repaid. On a positive note, arrangements have been made to avail of loans at 0 per cent interest," he added.
Pawar was speaking at an event in Baramati, where he addressed the state's financial commitments. While he had presented the state Budget of Rs 7.20 lakh crore in the Assembly before, Pawar highlighted the significant burden of waiving electricity bills worth about Rs 65,000 crore. Pawar emphasised that the government has to foot the bill for these waived electricity charges, which is a substantial expense.
He added, "Whatever was said does not come into action directly because while presenting a Budget of Rs 7.20 lakh crore, electricity bills worth about Rs 65,000 crore have been waived off, meaning you don't, but we, the government, have to pay it."