Farmers, public disappointed with Budget 2025

K. Balamanikandan, Regional Sales Manager,
Big C Mobiles.
| Photo Credit: R. Ashok

A. Raja (a) Krishnan, auto driver.

A. Raja (a) Krishnan, auto driver.
| Photo Credit:
R. Ashok 

M.P. Raman, farmer

M.P. Raman, farmer
| Photo Credit:
G. Moorthy

S. Yamuna Devi, resident of Iyer Bungalow

S. Yamuna Devi, resident of Iyer Bungalow
| Photo Credit:
R. Ashok 

R. Murali, General Manager, Haritha Honda

R. Murali, General Manager, Haritha Honda
| Photo Credit:
G. Moorthy

C. Muthuraja, Head, Dept. of Economics, The American College

C. Muthuraja, Head, Dept. of Economics, The American College
| Photo Credit:
G. Moorthy

The general public of Madurai have largely expressed their disappointment over the Budget presented in Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday.

M.P. Raman, a Madurai-based farmer and leader of Tamil Nadu Anaithu Vivasaya Sangathin Oringinaipu Kuzhu, said the Budget was a big disappointment for the farmers. He said their long-term demand for Minimum Support Price for farm produce had not been met.

The government had assured that the demand of the farmers would be met. However, no meeting with the committee constituted for the purpose had been conducted so far.

The Finance Minister had said schemes would benefit 1.75 crore farmers, but she was not specific, he added.

S. Yamuna Devi, a homemaker at Iyer Bungalow, said the prices of essential commodities had already skyrocketed and nothing had been done to address the issue. It had become difficult to run a household, she said.

C. Muthuraja, Head, Department of Economic, The American College, said there were some positives in the Budget, like innovations at macro level in agricultural sector and green initiatives. There was also focus on gender and youth economics which would help women entrepreneurship and youth.

However, the fiscal deficit at 4.8% of GDP and foreign debts were alarming. The Budget also did not address the inequality among States, he said.

R. Murali, General Manager, Haritha Honda, said exemption of custom duties to electric vehicle battery material would help boost production and sales of electric vehicles. There was a good reception for electric vehicles among people, he said.

K. Balamanikandan, Regional Sales Manager, Big C Mobiles, said there were no major announcements for the sector.

A. Raja alias Krishnan, autorickshaw driver, said the Budget was a big letdown for people like him. He said their demands for subsidies on diesel and simplifying of insurance complexities had not been addressed.