Maharashtra Budget 2024: Key Announcements By Deputy CM Ajit Pawar

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar unveiled significant measures during the Maharashtra state budget presentation, including tax reductions on petrol and diesel in the Mumbai region. These reductions will make petrol cheaper by 65 paise per litre and diesel by Rs 2.60 per litre. The state exchequer will bear a cost of Rs 200 crore for this initiative.

Fuel Tax Reduction

– Diesel Tax: Reduced from 24% to 21%, effectively lowering diesel prices by Rs 2.60 per litre.
– Petrol Tax: Reduced from 26% to 25%, reducing petrol prices by 65 paise per litre.

Key Initiatives and Welfare Schemes

Household Support
Free Gas Cylinders: Three gas cylinders per household under the CM Anna Chhatra Yojana.

Farmers and Milk Producers

– Crop Bonus: Rs 5,000 per hectare for cotton and soybean farmers.
– Milk Bonus: Rs 5 per litre bonus for milk-producing farmers beyond July 1, 2024.

Compensation for Animal Attacks

– Increased Compensation: Next of kin to receive Rs 25 lakhs, up from Rs 20 lakhs, for deaths due to animal attacks.

Women’s Welfare

– Financial Assistance: Rs 1,500 per month for women aged 21-60 under the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme, costing the state Rs 46,000 crores annually.
– Fee Waiver: Higher education fee waiver for girls from OBC and EWS families, benefiting 2 lakh girls with an annual budget of Rs 2,000 crore.

Healthcare

– Free Medical Services: Check-ups and treatments for warkaris, along with the establishment of a Warkari Development Corporation.
– Pandharpur Dindi Support: Rs 36 crore allocated, with each dindi receiving Rs 20,000.
– Health Cover: Increase in coverage under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs.

Also read: Fadnavis Defends Pune Police Amid Porsche Crash Controversy

Housing and Infrastructure

– Affordable Housing: A new housing scheme to provide affordable homes.
– Tap Water Initiative: ‘Har Ghar Nal’ initiative aims to connect 21 lakh households to tap water.

Women’s Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

– Unity Mall Project: Prioritizing women’s SHGs to enable 25 lakh women to become millionaires within the year.
– Fast-Track Courts: Establishment of 100 courts to address crimes against women.

Agriculture and Environment

– Bamboo Plantation: Rs 175 per plant incentive, targeting 6,000 hectares under bamboo cultivation in Nandurbar district.
– Free Electricity: Provision of 8.5 lakh solar pumps to farmers.
– Water Conservation: Rs 650 crore allocated for the Jal Yukta Shivar Yojana project.

Youth and Education

– Skill Development: CM Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana offers a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000.
– Technical Textile Park: Establishment of a park to boost the textile industry.

Tourism

– Scuba Diving Center: Development in Sindhudurg to enhance coastal tourism.

Food Supply and Storage

– Gaon Tethe Godown Scheme: Rs 341 crore allocated for implementation.

This comprehensive budget focuses on tax relief, agricultural support, women’s empowerment, healthcare, infrastructure, and youth development, aiming to bolster Maharashtra’s overall growth and welfare.