A People-Centric Budget Shaping a Developed Maharashtra – CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai : This budget is a people-centric one that aligns with the vision of a Developed Maharashtra alongside a Developed India. It focuses on five key pillars—agriculture, industry, infrastructure, employment, and social development. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that the government’s future course of action will be in line with this balanced budget.

Deputy Chief Minister and Finance & Planning Minister Ajit Pawar presented the 2025-26 budget in the state assembly. Later, at a press conference, CM Fadnavis, along with Deputy CM Eknath Shinde, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, and Minister of State for Finance Ashish Jaiswal, discussed the budget’s key highlights.

Maharashtra’s Growth Rate at the Forefront

The state’s budget is well-balanced, with the fiscal deficit successfully reduced to 2.7% from 2.9% in the previous year. Revenue collection and expenditure have been managed efficiently, and Maharashtra’s budget size has now crossed ₹7 lakh crore. Excluding Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra has the largest budget in India. The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has grown steadily, reaching 7.5% over the last decade, with an increase of ₹5-10 lakh crore. The state remains within its prescribed borrowing limits without any violations.

Industrial Expansion

The industrial sector in Maharashtra continues to thrive, with the exception of the COVID-19 period. The state leads the country in startups and GST revenue collection. Maharashtra surpasses other states in national tax collection by over ₹1.5 lakh crore. With a strong industrial base, foreign investment, startup growth, and GST revenue, Maharashtra is poised to maintain its leadership.

Robust Infrastructure Planning

Infrastructure, particularly road development, is a key focus of the budget, with a long-term vision for the next 20 years. A structured approach will ensure uniform road development from village to state levels. Funding for these projects will be sourced from external agencies, including the World Bank, Asian Bank, New Development Bank, and NABARD. This initiative will also attract significant investments in ports and airport development across Maharashtra.

Leading in Housing Development

Maharashtra has made remarkable progress in the housing sector, with substantial investments. Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the state is set to reach the milestone of 20 lakh homes. Significant funding from both the central and state governments is allocated to this scheme. Additionally, these houses will be equipped with self-sustaining power solutions under the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Yojana. Households consuming less than 300 units of electricity will also benefit from this scheme.

Prioritizing Agriculture & Irrigation

The budget emphasizes cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and drone technology to reduce production costs and increase profitability in agriculture. AI-driven solutions will aid in soil testing and monitoring crop growth. Additionally, substantial funds have been allocated for the Jalyukt Shivar Phase II and river-linking projects.

From Ladki Bahin to Lakhpati Didi

Adequate funding has been ensured for the Ladki Bahin scheme to make women financially independent. Several women have utilized their ₹1,500 assistance to establish cooperatives, which will now be expanded into a state-level Apex Cooperative Society. The government is also advancing the Lakhpati Didi initiative, which aims to empower women through self-employment. So far, 23 lakh women have benefited, and the goal is to reach 1 crore Lakhpati Didis by covering another 24 lakh beneficiaries.

Focus on Social Justice & Tribal Development

Allocations for social justice and tribal welfare have been significantly increased by 43% and 40%, respectively. This will strengthen policies ensuring education, healthcare, and employment opportunities for marginalized communities.

This budget not only focuses on economic growth but also creates employment opportunities. CM Fadnavis highlighted that the record for presenting the highest number of state budgets was held by the late Sheshrao Wankhede, who did so 13 times. With this budget, Ajit Pawar has presented his 11th budget, and CM Fadnavis expressed confidence that Pawar will eventually surpass this record. He also congratulated Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal for their efforts in shaping the budget.