Source Credit: IANS
On March 10, 2025, Maharashtra's deputy chief minister and finance minister, Ajit Pawar, presented the state budget for 2025-26 amidst the widening gaps between revenue and expenditure. The total expenditure in the budget is projected to stand at Rs 7,00,020 crore, with a total probable fiscal deficit of Rs 1,36,000 crore and a revenue deficit of Rs 45,892 crore.
A key highlighting point of this budget is allocating Rs 36,000 crore for the Ladki Bahin Yojana, helping empower women by providing them financial support. However, contrary to earlier assurances, no announcement was made about raising the monthly aid from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 for an estimated 2.53 crore women beneficiaries. The scheme has already incurred an expenditure of Rs 33,232 crore.
To earn revenue, Pawar proposed several tax hikes, including one of 1% on motor vehicle tax on non-transport CNG and LPG, introduction of a 6% tax on electric vehicles with price tag more than Rs 30 lakh and 7% tax on construction vehicles, all generating an estimated Rs 1,125 crore in additional revenue. The minister also informed public sector companies about an amnesty scheme to clear tax arrears by 2025.
Infrastructure development is also among the priorities in which substantial investments have been made regarding roads, railways, ports, metros, and also rural housing and agriculture. The finance minister also mentioned how the state will succeed in swaying the economy by reforms, industrial policies, and investments in the MMR region.
The government has emphasized that it is interested in inclusive and environment-friendly development with priority on healthcare, education, and culture, besides transparency and efficiency in public schemes at different levels.
