Painting a bleak picture of state economy will affect investments, Ajit Pawar tells Opposition | Mumbai News
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday asked the Opposition not to paint a bleak picture of the state economy as he feared it would affect investments in Maharashtra.
In his reply to a debate on the state’s annual budget for the year 2025-26, Pawar refuted Opposition’s claim that the state government is moving to close various welfare and development schemes launched ahead of the Assembly elections. He, however, without naming the schemes, said some of those which were launched during the pandemic will be reviewed and evaluated.
“I must ask the Opposition not to spread misinformation. This will affect the investments coming to the state. This budget is not limited to one year, but aimed at next five years. We will not rest until making a developed India and developed Maharashtra,” said Pawar, adding the government is prepared to pay any price to keep its promises and respect the landslide victory registered by the Mahayuti alliance.
In his reply to a debate on the state’s annual budget for 2025-26, Ajit Pawar said the estimated revenue deficit of Rs 45,891 crore, fiscal deficit of Rs 1.36 lakh crore and Rs 9.32 lakh crore are well within the stipulated limits of the gross state domestic product which is expected to be Rs 49.39 lakh crore. “The rise in GSDP is due to the government’s increased spending on a slew of infrastructure development projects including metro, roads, highways,” he said.
“Maharashtra has always used the debt for capital expenditure and increase the investments in the state. We should not go by the projected debt stock of Rs 9.32 lakh crore as it needs to be seen in context with the state’s ability to repay that debt and the judicious use of that debt,” he said.
About welfare schemes
Commenting on Opposition’s reference to Mahayuti’s poll manifesto promising to increase monthly outgo of Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme to Rs 2,100 from Rs 1,500, Pawar said the manifesto was for five years. “This scheme is meant to give benefits to poor and needy women. In a rush before Assembly polls, some women with good financial situation too were given the benefits. Those will be removed, but no money will be taken back, and the scheme will continue, and the government is committed to extend benefits to needy women,” he said.
Amid speculations of closure of Anandacha Shidha and Shiv Bhojan scheme, Pawar did not name any scheme but maintained that certain welfare schemes are announced considering specific situations and in the past several incidents have taken place where some have stopped.
Shaktipeeth Road
Ajit Pawar, in his speech, reiterated that the Shaktipeeth Highway, which is proposed from Nagpur to Goa, will happen at any cost. “During Samruddhi Road construction, when I was in Opposition, we protested with farmers. But when they were compensated four to five times, they accepted it and backed down. The same will happen with Shaktipeeth Highway. New projects cannot be built in air, but will be built on land,” said Pawar. Farmers from 12 districts through which the said road is proposed to pass, recently protested in Mumbai against the project.
