This is a Champion Budget – Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Mumbai : Deputy Chief Minister and Finance & Planning Minister Ajit Pawar has presented a balanced and development-oriented budget that continues the people-centric schemes and infrastructure growth of the past two and a half years. Expressing his views on the budget, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde described it as a Champion Budget.

Highlighting the state’s unwavering commitment to progress, Shinde stated that Maharashtra’s rapid development will not slow down, as reflected in the budget. He also acknowledged Ajit Pawar as the leader who has presented the highest number of state budgets since the late Sheshrao Wankhede. This time too, Pawar has ensured balance and justice for all sectors.

Referring to infrastructure as the backbone of development, Shinde pointed out that developed nations like the USA have advanced primarily due to strong road networks. The budget makes significant provisions for the development of roads, bridges, and ports, leaving no sector untouched. Maharashtra continues to lead in industrial development, and with strategic budgetary allocations, the state is expected to attract massive investments.

Mumbai and its metropolitan region have the potential to contribute $1.5 trillion to the economy. Major game-changing projects like Samruddhi Mahamarg and Atal Setu have been completed in the last two and a half years, further boosting economic growth.

Shinde also emphasized the use of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence in agriculture, which will greatly benefit farmers. The government has accelerated irrigation projects over the past two and a half years, ensuring power supply to farmers during the daytime. Moreover, while the Ladki Bahin scheme provides direct financial aid to underprivileged women, the budget also focuses on making them self-reliant. Despite opposition claims that the scheme would be discontinued, the government has allocated ₹36,000 crore to strengthen and continue it.

Dismissing concerns over budget cuts, Shinde assured that no welfare scheme has been curtailed; rather, infrastructure development has been given a strong push. “Development is our agenda, and public welfare is our goal. This budget highlights Maharashtra’s crucial role in building a developed India,” he concluded.