Maharashtra Budget 2025: Ajit Pawar To Present 1st Budget of Mahayuti 2.0 Govt Today – Key Highlights

Mumbai, March 10, 2025: Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar is all set to present the state’s Budget for the financial year 2025-26 today at 2 pm. This will mark the first budget of the newly-formed Mahayuti-NDA government and will be Pawar's 11th budget presentation. However, the government faces significant financial challenges, including a debt burden exceeding Rs 8 lakh crore, while balancing populist schemes and long-term economic goals.

The budget presentation is poised to address key concerns such as welfare measures, infrastructure development, and industrial growth, while also maintaining fiscal responsibility in the face of rising debts. With upcoming local body elections in major cities like Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur, the budget is expected to include several measures aimed at strengthening voter support and fulfilling pre-election promises.

Key Focus: Expansion of Ladki Bahin Yojana

One of the most anticipated announcements is the expansion of the Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, a direct cash transfer initiative launched in 2024 for women from low-income families. Under the scheme, women aged 21-65 years, with an annual family income below Rs 2.5 lakh, currently receive Rs 1,500 per month. However, sources suggest that the government is likely to increase the amount to Rs 2,100 per month in line with its pre-election commitments.

By December 2024, the scheme had already disbursed financial aid worth Rs 17,505.90 crore to 2.38 crore beneficiaries, with projections for a total expenditure of Rs 33,300 crore from July 2024 to March 2025. This makes it one of the largest welfare initiatives in the state’s history, and it is expected to take center stage in today’s budget presentation.

Balancing Welfare and Growth Amid Financial Constraints

Despite Maharashtra's debt load, the government is determined to push for both welfare and industrial growth. The state's debt stock stands at Rs 7,82,991 crore, with interest payments projected at Rs 56,727 crore. However, the state's debt-to-GSDP ratio remains within the prescribed fiscal limit of 25%, ensuring economic stability. The state is projected to grow at 7.3%, higher than the national GDP growth rate of 6.5%, according to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2024-25.

In addition to welfare measures, the government is keen on promoting infrastructure development and industrial growth. At the recent World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Maharashtra signed MoUs worth a staggering Rs 15.70 lakh crore, signaling its intent to aggressively expand its industrial base.

Pawar's Legacy of Symbolic Budget Presentations

Ajit Pawar’s tenure as Finance Minister has seen several symbolic budget presentations, with past budgets dedicated to important causes. In 2021, he dedicated the budget to women on International Women's Day, and in 2022, he honored Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on his death anniversary. His budget speeches often focus on key sectors such as agriculture, industry, healthcare, transportation, and employment.

With public expectations running high, today’s budget is expected to contain surprises and major announcements that will set the tone for the Mahayuti government’s economic roadmap in the coming years.

As Maharashtra navigates through financial constraints while aiming for economic growth, the 2025-26 budget will be a crucial document in determining the direction of governance for the next year.