The Maharashtra government on Monday allocated Rs 36,000 crore for the Ladki Bahin scheme but did not announce a hike in the allowance, proposed to increase Motor Vehicle Tax by 1 per cent on CNG and LPG vehicles, as it presented a Rs 7,00,020 crore budget for the fiscal 2025-26.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, tabled his 11th state budget in the legislative assembly and announced a new industrial policy, focusing on Rs 40 lakh crore investment and generation of 50 lakh jobs.

Key highlights of Maharashtra Budget 2025:

1. Ladki Bahin Scheme

The government allocated Rs 36,000 crore for the Ladki Bahin scheme, though no hike in the allowance was announced.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis indicated that the promise to increase the allowance from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 will be fulfilled once the fiscal balance is achieved, but not from April 2025.

2. New Industrial Policy and Job Creation
– Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar introduced a new industrial policy aiming for Rs 40 lakh crore investment and 50 lakh new jobs.
– The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is being developed as a growth hub, with the goal of achieving a USD 1.5 trillion economy by 2047.
– A third Mumbai airport was announced near Vadhvan port in Palghar district, operational by 2030.

3. Motor Vehicle Tax Revisions
– A 6% Motor Vehicle Tax on electric vehicles priced above Rs 30 lakh was proposed, generating an additional Rs 170 crore in revenue.
– The tax on CNG and LPG vehicles was raised by 1%, expected to bring in Rs 150 crore.
– 7% Motor Vehicle Tax is proposed for construction vehicles like cranes and excavators, with estimated revenue of Rs 180 crore.
– The Motor Vehicle Tax for light goods vehicles (LGVs) is set to increase, projected to generate Rs 625 crore.

4. Infrastructure Developments
– Vadhvan port in Palghar will be operational by 2030, playing a crucial role in strengthening the state’s maritime trade.
– The new Mumbai airport near Vadhvan will also have a station for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train.

5. Fiscal Deficit and Revenue Projections
– The budget set the fiscal deficit at Rs 1,36,234 crore.
– Revenue receipts are projected at Rs 5,60,963 crore, while revenue expenditure stands at Rs 6,06,855 crore.
– The government successfully maintained the fiscal deficit below 3% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).

6. Stamp Duty and Fees
– A proposal was made to increase the stamp duty on supplementary documents from Rs 100 to Rs 500.
– The adjudication fee under the Maharashtra Stamp Act will increase from Rs 100 to Rs 1,000.
– A new provision for e-stamp certificates will allow citizens to pay stamp duty and issue certificates online.

7. Aviation and Transportation Projects
– A night landing facility will be introduced at Shirdi Airport.
– Domestic flights from Navi Mumbai International Airport will begin next month, and Metro services will connect it with – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.

8. Housing and Agriculture Initiatives
– A Rs 15,000 crore outlay for rural housing aims to construct 20 lakh homes.
– Agriculture growth is projected at 8.7% in 2024-25, an improvement from the previous year’s 3.3%, supported by irrigation projects and solar energy initiatives.

9. Healthcare and Cultural Projects
– The government plans to expand healthcare facilities, ensuring access within 5 km for every resident. Cultural heritage projects include a memorial at Agra in honor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s escape from Mughal custody.