Sat Feb 01 17:27:45 UTC 2025: ## Madurai Residents Express Disappointment Over Union Budget

**Madurai, February 1, 2025** – The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday has been met with widespread disappointment among Madurai residents. While some aspects received positive feedback, the overall sentiment reflects a feeling that key concerns remain unaddressed.

Farmers expressed deep frustration, citing the unmet demand for Minimum Support Prices (MSP) despite government assurances. M.P. Raman, a farmer and leader of the Tamil Nadu Anaithu Vivasaya Sangathin Oringinaipu Kuzhu, criticized the lack of specificity regarding schemes supposedly benefiting 1.75 crore farmers. Homemaker S. Yamuna Devi highlighted the soaring prices of essential commodities, making it increasingly difficult to manage household expenses.

C. Muthuraja, Head of the Department of Economics at The American College, offered a more nuanced perspective. While acknowledging positive aspects such as macro-level agricultural innovations and green initiatives, he expressed alarm at the 4.8% fiscal deficit and rising foreign debt. He also pointed out the Budget’s failure to address inter-state inequality.

Positive feedback was limited to certain sectors. R. Murali, General Manager of Haritha Honda, welcomed the exemption of custom duties on electric vehicle battery materials, anticipating a boost in production and sales. However, K. Balamanikandan, Regional Sales Manager of Big C Mobiles, reported no significant announcements for the mobile sector. Autorickshaw driver A. Raja alias Krishnan echoed the general disappointment, stating that the Budget failed to address crucial concerns like diesel subsidies and insurance complexities. The overall reaction in Madurai underscores a prevailing sense of unmet expectations regarding the Union Budget.

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