Deputy Chief Minister and Finance and Planning Minister Ajit Pawar will present the budget of Maharashtra’s financial year 2025-26 today. This will be the first budget of the new Mahayuti government and will be the 11th budget as Finance Minister for Ajit Pawar. The main focus of this budget has been farmers, workers, women, Dalits, tribals, students and youth. Let us know that he dedicated the budget of 2021 to women on International Women’s Day (8 March). The budget of 2022 was dedicated to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s death anniversary (March 11) and dedicated to his sacrifice, self -government and valor.
Ajit Pawar has presented the Panchasutra budget giving priority to agriculture, industry, transport, health and human resource development. The previous year’s pre -election budget was widespread and revolutionary, which played an important role in the return of Mahayuti government to power. This time too, the public has high expectations from Ajit Pawar, and it is believed that they will live up to these expectations.
Ajit Pawar towards making records
Today Ajit Pawar will present his 11th budget. Along with this, he will become the second Finance Minister to present the most budget after Shesrao Wankhede (13 times).
Finance Minister to present the budget most times
- Sesharao Wankhede 13 times
- Ajit Pawar 11 times (including today’s budget)
- Jayant Patil 10 times
- Sushil Kumar Shinde 9 times
Economic survey report before budget
The economy of Maharashtra is growing faster than the country. The evidence of this is 2024-25, the Economic Survey presented on Friday in both houses of the Legislature. This report shows that the economy of Maharashtra will grow at the rate of 7.3 percent, while the economic growth of India is estimated to be 6.5 percent.
The main reason for this economic progress is effective financial policies, industrial development and public welfare schemes of the Government of Maharashtra, which are giving a new direction to the state’s economic growth.
Main Economic Statistics (2024-25)
- State Estimated GDP (GSDP): ₹ 45,31,518 crore
- GDP on stable prices (based on 2011-12) GDP: ₹ 26,12,263 crore
- Per capita income (2024-25): ₹ 3,09,340 (₹ 2,78,681 in 2023-24)
- Revenue Loss: ₹ 20,051 Crore
- Total loan on state: ₹ 7.1 lakh crore (17.3 percent of GSDP)
- Debt hike: 10.1 percent more than last year, but it is within a maximum limit of 25 percent.
Development rate in various fields
The agriculture, industry and service sector of Maharashtra’s economy has seen improvements.
- Agriculture and related activities: 8.7 percent increase
- Industrial Area: 4.9 percent increase
- Services sector: 7.8 percent growth
This data makes it clear that agriculture and service sectors remain the major columns of the economy of Maharashtra, while the industrial sector is improving relatively slow.
Women Empowerment and Social Schemes
Girl sister plan: A big step towards the economic empowerment of women
The state government is running a girl sister scheme to improve the economic condition of women and make them self -sufficient. Under this scheme, an amount of ₹ 17,505.90 crore has been transferred to bank accounts of 2.38 crore women by December 2024.
Will the benefit of the scheme increase?
The government had promised that the monthly amount of the scheme would be increased from ₹ 1,500 to ₹ 2,100. However, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare made it clear that this change will not be implemented yet.
Achievements in health sector
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Scheme:In the financial year 2024-25, 8.45 lakh surgery and treatment were performed from December. A total of ₹ 1,143.26 crore was spent on these. Through these schemes, better health facilities are being provided to poor and disadvantaged families.
Status of agriculture and milk production sector
- Milk production: Maharashtra is ranked 5th in the country (6.7%of national production).
- Egg production: 7th in the country with 5.5 percent stake in Maharashtra.
Agriculture and milk production sector of the state is continuously improving, but it is still behind states like Punjab and Haryana.
Other major things of economic and social development in Maharashtra
Banking facility under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana:3.61 crore bank accounts were opened by 31 December 2024. 55 percent of these accounts are in rural and semi-urban areas. This shows that the government is insisting on connecting the rural economy with financial services.
Maharashtra’s leading role in startups:Maharashtra has become the biggest startup hub in the country. The state accounts for 24 percent of the startups at the all -India level. This means that Maharashtra is at the forefront of promoting innovation and new businesses in the country.
Shiva Meal Scheme: Cheap food for the poor
1,884 Shiva food centers were operated in the state by November 2024. So far 3.17 crore plates have been distributed. This scheme is helping to provide nutritious food to poor and needy people at concessional rates.
Banking and Digital Infrastructure:There are 22 ATMs available per lakh population in the state. This has boosted digital transactions.
Power Production and Distribution:Till 31 March 2024, the state’s total power generation capacity was 38,601 MW. The government is focusing on renewable energy (solar and wind energy) to improve the power sector.
Public Distribution System (Ration Scheme):There are a total of 265.20 lakh ration card holders in the state as of December 2024.
- Yellow Ration Card: 58.90 Lakh
- Orange ration card: 184.24 lakhs
- White Ration Card: 22.07 Lakh
52,813 ration shops are operated in the state. Point of sale (POS) equipment for grain distribution has been installed, making the distribution process more transparent.
Climate change and forest area status
Rainfall situation (2024): In 2024, Maharashtra received an average of 116.8 percent rainfall.
- Additional rainfall in 203 talukas
- Normal rainfall in 68 talukas
- Rain in 84 talukas
Extension of forest area:By March 2024, the forest area of Maharashtra was 20.1 percent of the total geographical area. The state government is working on many schemes to promote forest conservation and green development.
Maharashtra’s development journey continues
- The economy of Maharashtra is growing rapidly from the national average (6.5%) (7.3%).
- Improvement in agriculture and service sector
- Startup and industrial development promoted
- Effective implementation of women empowerment and social schemes
- Improvement in infrastructure (banking, electricity, public distribution system) in the state