Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, presented the state budget today during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Assembly. The budget is seen as an attempt to appeal to a broad range of voters ahead of upcoming state elections.
Key Highlights of the Budget:
- Relief for Farmers: Waiver of electricity bill dues for 44 lakh farmers, increased compensation for crop damage (from Rs 25,000 to Rs 50,000), subsidies for onion producers (Rs 350 per quintal), revolving funds for onion and cotton purchase at guaranteed prices.
- Bonus for Farmers: Bonus of Rs 5,000 per hectare for cotton and soybean crops, continuation of Rs 5 per litre bonus for milk producers.
- Schemes for Women: Financial assistance for over two lakh female students from backward classes and economically weaker sections, scheme named ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladaki Bahin Yojana’ providing Rs 1,500 to women aged 21-60 years.
- Increased Funds for Women Self-Help Groups: Increase in funds for women self-help groups from Rs 15,000 to Rs 30,000.
- ‘Mukhyamantri Annapurna’ Scheme: Free gas cylinders for eligible beneficiaries (3 cylinders annually for families of 5).
- Other Measures: Increased compensation for deaths due to animal attacks (Rs 25 lakh instead of Rs 20 lakh).
Background:
This budget presentation comes after the Mahayuti alliance’s disappointing performance in the recent Lok Sabha polls. The budget proposals seem to target various sections of society, including farmers, women, and self-help groups, in a bid to improve the coalition’s prospects in the upcoming state elections.
