<span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the union budget is a visionary one that will steer India with even greater speed towards a 5 trillion dollar economy. Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Mr Fadnavis said, the budget aims at transforming 'gaon, gareeb and kisan.' </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He said the ambitious target of more than 1 lakh crore of disinvestment is a welcome move while increasing public shareholding from 25 to 35 per cent will allow people greater ownership of public assets. The Chief Minister said, the budget also aims to recognize taxpayers as valued citizens with emphasis on ease of doing business. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande too welcomed the budget saying it is an all-inclusive and balanced budget that gives priority to the rural economy. She, however, said the government's proposal to increase import duty on gold and precious metals from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent should be reconsidered as gold has an emotional value attached to it.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Maharashtra NCP chief Jayant Patil termed the budget as confusing and clueless as to how to strengthen the economy. His party colleague and Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra Legislative Council Dhananjay Munde noted the budget offered nothing for the state. </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">He alleged that privatization of railways through public-private partnership model will make rail services a costly affair. Leader of opposition in the state Legislative Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, expressed disappointment at the budget and said it would bring about price rise as it proposes to levy an additional cess on petrol and diesel.</span><br />