Rs 36,000 crore allocated to Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana 

In a landmark session on March 10, deputy chief minister and finance minister Ajit Pawar presented the Maharashtra Budget for FY 2025-26 in the state assembly. This marks the first budget of the newly-formed Mahayuti government, which came to power late last year, and is Pawar’s 11th budget as finance minister.

The session followed the tabling of the pre-Budget Economic Survey on 7 March, which detailed the state’s economic progress. A key highlight was the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which Rs.17,505.90 crore has been disbursed directly into the bank accounts of 2.38 crore women as of December 2024.

In total, Rs. 2.53 crore women have received stipends totaling Rs. 33,232 crores, with the allocation set to increase to Rs. 36,000 crores in the coming financial year. Additionally, the Lek Ladki Yojana has benefitted 1.12 lakh women.

Pawar also announced a new health and senior citizens policy to strengthen the state’s commitment to social welfare. In an effort to tackle unemployment, the government has set an ambitious target of creating 50 lakh new job opportunities over the next five years.

Infrastructure developments featured prominently in the budget. The government plans to establish a 200-bed referral hospital in Thane, a 100-bed facility in Ratnagiri district, and a 200-bed super specialty hospital in Raigad district.

Furthermore, Maharashtra government will contribute 26 per cent of the project cost for the construction of the deep sea Vadhvan Port, which is expected to be operational by 2030.

A major focus of the budget is the transformation of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region into an international-class ‘growth hub’. The state has unveiled plans to develop seven world-class business centres at key locations: Bandra-Kurla Complex, Kurla-Worli, Wadala, Goregaon, Navi Mumbai, Kharghar, and Virar-Boisar. These initiatives aim to boost the region’s economy from $140 billion to $300 billion by 2030, with long-term aspirations of reaching $1.5 trillion by 2047.

The budget includes plans for Mumbai’s metro railway system to link Navi Mumbai International Airport near Ulwe with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Santa Cruz. Domestic flights are tentatively set to commence at Navi Mumbai International Airport next month, following the completion of 85 per cent of the work and successful trial runs.

Additionally, a significant allocation of Rs 64,000 crore has been designated for various infrastructure projects across Mumbai, highlighting the government’s commitment to urban development and modernisation.

Direct Beneficiary Transfer (DBT) DBT method is being implemented to make the implementation of all individual beneficiary schemes fast, efficient and transparent. From April 1, 2025, the benefits of such individual beneficiary schemes will be provided only through DBT. The state's public health policy will be formulated to provide quality primary health services to every person within a radius of 5 kilometers.

Overall, the Maharashtra Budget 2025-26 presents a comprehensive and forward-looking roadmap that prioritises inclusive growth, enhanced social welfare, and robust infrastructure development.