Maharashtra Unveils Ambitious Budget 2024-25 Focused on Inclusive Growth and Sectoral Development

The Maharashtra state budget for 2024-25, unveiled by Deputy CM and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, introduces several initiatives aimed at fostering inclusive growth and supporting key sectors such as women, youth, healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, and more. Here are the main highlights:

Infrastructure and Development:

• Metro Expansion: Sanctioned 449 kilometers of metro lines, with 127 kilometers already operational.
• Thane Coastal Road: Rs 3,364 crores allocated for completion by May 2028.
• Shivdi-Worli Link Road: Scheduled for completion by December 2025.

Health and Wellness:

• Warkari Development Corporation: Established with Rs 36 crore for free medical check-ups and treatment during the Pandharpur dindi.
• CM Anna Suraksha Yojana: Provides three free gas cylinders annually to 52.4 lakh households.
• Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana: Health cover increased from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs.

Women’s Welfare and Youth Empowerment:

1. Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: Offers a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to eligible women aged 21-60, costing the state Rs 46 crore annually.
2. Pink e-Rickshaw Scheme: Allocation of Rs 80 crore for providing 10,000 pink e-rickshaws to women across Maharashtra.
3. Unity Mall Project: Aims to empower 25 lakh women, particularly through self-help groups, to achieve economic independence.
4. Fee Waiver for Girls: Girls from OBC and EWS families pursuing higher education will benefit from a fee waiver, with an annual budget of Rs 2,000 crores.
5. CM Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana: A skill development program offering a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 to benefit ten lakh youth annually, with a budget of Rs 10,000 crore.

Social Welfare and Community Support:

• Housing Schemes: 35,40,491 houses to be constructed with Rs 7,425 crores allocated over five years.
• Transgender Inclusion: Eligibility for government schemes extended to the transgender community.

Education and Employment:

• Scholarships for Minority Students: Launch of foreign scholarship schemes for minority community students.
• Government Hostels: Establishment of 82 hostels for children of sugarcane workers.

Agricultural and Rural Development:

• Free Electricity for Farmers: Installation of 8.5 lakh solar pumps to provide free electricity.
• Gaon Tethe Godown Scheme: Rs 341 crore allocated for building storage facilities in rural areas.
• Bamboo Plantation Drive: Incentive of Rs 175 per plant for bamboo plantation across 6,000 hectares.
• Jal Yukta Shivar Yojana: Rs 650 crore allocated for water conservation.

Economic and Industrial Growth:

• Thrust Sector Investment: Expected to attract Rs 1 lakh crore investment, creating 50,000 jobs.
• Green Hydrogen Sector: Rs 2,11,400 crores investment expected to generate 55,900 jobs.

Tax Relief and Economic Measures:

• Tax Reduction on Fuel: Reduction in diesel and petrol taxes in municipal areas.
• Stamp Duty Penalty Reduction: Penalty on insufficient stamp duty reduced.

Tourism and Cultural Development:

• Scuba Diving Center in Sindhudurg: Initiative to boost coastal tourism.
• Viewing Gallery at Malshej Ghat: Support for cultural and tourism activities.

Environment and Sustainable Development:

• Clean and Green Energy Initiatives: Solarization of irrigation schemes with an estimated cost of Rs 4,200 crores.
• Vainganga-Nalganga Interlinking Project: Aims to benefit 3,71,277 hectares through improved irrigation.

The Maharashtra Budget 2024-25 emphasizes balanced growth across sectors, prioritizing sustainable development, social welfare, and economic advancement, reflecting the government’s commitment to inclusive governance and progress.