Maharashtra Assembly Budget session: Ajit Pawar presents supplementary demands worth Rs 94,889 crore

Opposition NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil said that with Rs 94,000 crore supplementary demands, the state is set to be thrown into “financial indiscipline”.

Meanwhile, Pawar claimed that the government is “prioritising necessary things” in the budget and is following financial discipline.

The government has earmarked highest share of Rs 26,273 crore to the women and child welfare department, Rs 14,595.13 crore to urban development department, Rs 10,724.85 crore to agriculture and animal husbandry department, Rs 6,055.50 crore to skill development, Rs 4,638.82 crore to public works department, Rs 4,395.38 crore to industry, energy, labour and mining department, Rs 4,316.92 crore to social justice department, Rs 4,185.34 crore to public health department, Rs 33,74,08 crore to home department, Rs 3,003.07 crore to cooperation department and Rs 2,885.09 crore to OBC welfare department.

Among the populist schemes announced in the Budget are Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana (Rs 46,000 crore), free higher education for girls (Rs 2,000 crore), Mukhyamantri Yuva Karyaprashikshan Yojana (Rs 10,000 crore), free electricity to farmers for agricultural pumps up to 7.5 horse power capacity (Rs 14,761 crore).

As per the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, financial aid of Rs 1,500 will be provided to underprivileged women with an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh.

The government on Tuesday earmarked Rs 25,000 crore in the supplementary demands for it.

The government has earmarked Rs 6,000 crore towards special grants to put in place basic amenities in municipal and rural areas and special works in municipal council limits, Rs 5,555 crore for Mukhyamantri Yuva Karyaparikshan Yojana and state level Namo Maharojgar camps, Rs 5,060 crore for Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana, Rs 4,194.68 crore for financial assistance to farmers for the damage caused to soybean and cotton due to natural calamities.

Further, the government has earmarked Rs 3,615.94 crore for Shravan Bal Sevasadan Rajya Nivruttivetan and Sanjay Gandhi Niradhara Anudan Yojana, Rs 3,526 crore for Amrut 2.0.