The Aryavarth Express
Mumbai: The Budget Session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly begins on Monday, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressing confidence that the government will present a budget balancing public welfare and fiscal discipline.
According to an official release, 15 Bills are scheduled to be introduced during the session, which will run for four weeks. The State Budget will be presented on March 6.
Fadnavis said preparations initiated by the late Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar would be reflected in the upcoming financial statement. He noted that Pawar had always prioritised fiscal discipline and had undertaken extensive groundwork for the Budget.
Highlighting support from the Centre, Fadnavis said Maharashtra has received an additional Rs 2,000 crore in the Union Budget, while tax devolution to the state will amount to Rs 98,306 crore. He added that most demands raised by the state government have been accepted, including sanction for two high-speed corridors and an allocation of Rs 23,000 crore under the Railway Budget.
Under the VB G Ram G scheme, the state’s demand for increased manpower has been approved, raising the allocation from 1,300 lakh man-days to 1,600 lakh man-days. This is expected to bring an additional Rs 1,400 crore to Maharashtra.
The Chief Minister said the session would prioritise issues concerning the poor and common citizens, adding that Maharashtra conducts one of the longest legislative sessions in the country.
The government will also present details of the Rs 30 lakh crore investment agreements signed at Davos, aiming to address misconceptions. Maharashtra participated actively in the India AI Summit and hosted an “AI for Agriculture” conference, which was recognised as the country’s first Agri-AI Summit.
Fadnavis noted that Rs 500 crore had been allocated for the AI Mission in the previous Budget. Under this initiative, the ‘Mahavistar’ app has been developed and is currently used by around 30 lakh farmers. The platform provides information on weather, crop conditions and market prices, and now includes the tribal Bhili language. The government aims to leverage AI in agriculture to reduce production costs by 25 to 40 per cent.
He also stated that the aircraft accident involving Ajit Pawar will be investigated by the CBI, while the DGCA has initiated a separate inquiry. Assistance from foreign agencies will be sought to retrieve voice recordings, and the VSR company is being audited by the aviation regulator.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the industrial agreements signed in Davos are expected to generate 40 to 50 lakh jobs. Infrastructure projects worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore are underway, and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority has approved a Rs 46,000 crore budget.
To ease traffic congestion in Mumbai, projects such as the BKC-Kurla Tunnel, Borivali-Thane Tunnel and Mulund Tunnel are being implemented. In connection with a recent MMRDA accident, Shinde said officials concerned have been suspended, fines imposed on the company and consultant involved, and four individuals arrested. Families of the deceased have been granted Rs 15 lakh each through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund and MMRDA.
In the irrigation sector, 125 projects have received revised administrative approval amounting to nearly Rs 90,000 crore. Measures are being taken to tackle drought in Marathwada and ensure water supply to Vidarbha, while funds have been approved for the Poshir, Shilar and Kalu dams.
The government has announced a Rs 32,000 crore package for farmers, revised NDRF norms from two to three hectares, and provided assistance for damage caused by continuous rainfall. A decision has also been taken to ensure daytime electricity supply.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar said the customary pre-session tea meeting serves as an important platform for dialogue on development and public issues. She highlighted Ajit Pawar’s record of presenting the Budget 11 times, stating that his focus on balancing growth and fiscal discipline had provided strong direction to the state.
She expressed confidence that this year’s Budget, to be presented by the Chief Minister, would accelerate inclusive development and address the needs of all sections of society.
