Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde Announces Revolutionary Budget
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 29: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has called the state budget ‘revolutionary,’ stating it will empower women, youth, and farmers through various schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore. The budget aims to brighten the future of weaker sections, farmers, and youth.
Key Highlights of the Budget
Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar presented the additional budget for 2024-25 in the state assembly. The budget includes:
- Chief Minister Majhi Laadki Baheen scheme
- Free vocational education for girl students
- Chief Minister Annapoorna scheme providing 3 cylinders per year to eligible families
- Rs 15,000 crore project for free electricity to farmers during the day
- Chief Minister Baliraja electricity concession scheme
- Training for 50,000 youth annually
- Free education for girl students in engineering, pharmacy, and medical fields
- Rs 1500 per month to every woman
Support for Farmers
The budget includes provisions to resolve food-grain storage issues, financial assistance to cotton and soybean growers, and solar pumps on demand. Special campaigns will complete irrigation projects.
Preservation of History and Culture
The budget includes celebrating the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj annually at Fort Raigad and recommending the annual Pandharpur pilgrimage for UNESCO World Heritage status. Rs 20,000 will be provided to every Dindi, and medical treatment arrangements for pilgrims will be made.
Investment and Employment
Massive investments will be made in priority sectors and the green hydrogen sector, generating significant employment. The chief minister’s youth training scheme will train ten lakh youngsters annually, and a centre of excellence will be established in ITIs.
Infrastructure Development
The budget includes Metro routes in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, road works under the Chief Minister Gram Sadak scheme, and construction of village Panchayat buildings under the Balasaheb Thackeray memorial Matoshree Gram Panchayat scheme. The PM e-bus scheme will be implemented in municipal corporation areas.
The monsoon session of the Maharashtra Assembly began on June 28 and will continue until July 12. This is the last legislative session before the state assembly polls in the next four months.
