Maharashtra Budget 2024-25: Major Announcements and Initiatives

Major Initiatives and Allocations

Women’s Welfare and Youth Empowerment

Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: Provides a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to eligible women aged 21-60, costing the state Rs 46 crore annually.
Pink e-Rickshaw Scheme: 10,000 women to receive pink e-rickshaws across the state, with Rs 80 crore allocated.
Unity Mall Project: Aims to enable 25 lakh women to become millionaires, prioritizing women’s self-help groups.
Fee Waiver for Girls: Girls from OBC and EWS families pursuing higher education to benefit from a fee waiver, with an annual budget of Rs 2,000 crores.
CM Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana: A skill development program offering a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000, set to benefit ten lakh youth with a budget of Rs 10,000 crore annually.

Health and Wellbeing

Free Medical Check-Ups and Treatment for Warkaris: Formation of a Warkari Development Corporation, with Rs 36 crore allocated for the Pandharpur dindi.
Three Free Gas Cylinders: Under the CM Anna Suraksha Yojana, 52.4 lakh households to receive three free gas cylinders annually.
Health Cover Increase: Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana’s health cover increased from Rs 1.5 lakhs to Rs 5 lakhs.

Agricultural and Rural Development

Free Electricity for Farmers: Installation of 8.5 lakh solar pumps to provide free electricity to farmers.
Gaon Tethe Godown Scheme: Rs 341 crore allocated for creating storage facilities in rural areas.
Subsidy for Cow Milk Producers: Rs 5 per litre subsidy for 2.93 lakh cow milk producers.
Bamboo Plantation Drive: Rs 175 per plant financial incentive for farmers, starting from Nandurbar district, targeting 6,000 hectares of land.
Jal Yukta Shivar Yojana: Rs 650 crore allocated for water conservation and management.
Pending Electricity Dues Waived: Waiver of dues for 46.6 lakh agricultural pump users.
Compensation for Farmers: 24.47 lakh farmers compensated, with 40 talukas declared as drought-affected.

Infrastructure and Development

Metro Expansion: 449 kilometers of metro lines sanctioned for Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, with 127 kilometers already operational.
Thane Coastal Road: Stretching from Balkum to Gaymukh, with a cost of Rs 3,364 crores, expected to be finished by May 2028.
Shivdi-Worli Link Road: Scheduled for completion by December 2025.
Pilot Solar Power Project in Mhaisal: Rs 1,594 crore project expected to benefit 75,000 farmer families.

Social Welfare and Community Support

Housing Schemes: 35,40,491 houses to be constructed over five years through various schemes, with Rs 7,425 crores allocated.
Development Corporations: Formation of new development corporations for various communities, including support for physically challenged individuals.
Transgender Inclusion: Transgender community now eligible for government schemes.
Memorials and Art Galleries: Erection of memorials for Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Sant Shri Ruplal Maharaj, and an art gallery at Hatgad for promoting tribal arts.

Education and Employment

Scholarships for Minority Students: Launch of foreign scholarship schemes for students from minority communities.
Government Hostels: Establishment of 82 hostels for children of sugarcane workers.
Technical Education Centers: “Centre of Excellence” to be established in various technical education institutions.
Increased Stipend for Medical Professionals: Increased stipend for junior and senior resident doctors and remuneration for voluntary teachers.

Economic and Industrial Growth

Thrust Sector Investment: Expected to attract Rs 1 lakh crore investment, creating 50,000 jobs.
Green Hydrogen Sector: Expected to generate 55,900 jobs with an investment of Rs 2,11,400 crores.
India Gems and Jewellery Park: To be established on 25 acres in Navi Mumbai, expected to generate one lakh jobs.

Environment and Sustainable Development

Clean and Green Energy Initiatives: Solarization of all irrigation schemes, including Janai-Shirsai and Purandar lift irrigation schemes, with an expected cost of Rs 4,200 crores.
Vainganga-Nalganga Interlinking Project: Aims to provide irrigation benefits to 3,71,277 hectares across several districts.

Tax Relief and Economic Measures

Tax Reduction on Fuel: Diesel tax reduced from 24% to 21% and petrol tax from 26% + Rs 5.12 to 25% + Rs 5.12 per litre in municipal areas.
Stamp Duty Penalty Reduction: Penalty on insufficient stamp duty reduced from 2% to 1% per month.
Profession Tax Exemption: Soldiers in various armed forces exempted from paying Profession Tax.

Tourism and Cultural Development

Scuba Diving Center in Sindhudurg: To promote tourism in the coastal region.
Viewing Gallery at Malshej Ghat: Government to cover expenses for the annual celebration at Raigad fort.

Budget Allocation for Key Projects

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Phase 2: Rs 1,886.84 crore allocated.
International Convention Center in Kolhapur: Financial resources allocated for construction.
B.J. Government Medical College Auditorium: Funds provided for construction and enhancement.

The Maharashtra Budget 2024-25 aims to drive the state’s growth through a balanced and inclusive approach, addressing the needs of various sectors and communities. The initiatives and allocations reflect the government’s commitment to sustainable development, social welfare, and economic progress.