Maharashtra Budget 2024: State to provide ₹1,500 monthly aid for women, three free LPG cylinders

Maharashtra government's additional budget for 2024-25 includes free LPG cylinders, electricity waivers, and VAT reduction on fuel.

A monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to women aged 21 to 60, three free LPG cylinders a year for a family of five, free electricity to agriculture pumps, slashing value-added tax (VAT) on fuel in the Mumbai metropolitan region, and a few other farmer-friendly and youth-friendly schemes were the highlights of the Maharashtra government’s additional budget for 2024-25 presented on Friday.

The day also saw the announcement of a third gender policy by the State government.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also serves as Finance Minister, presented the last Budget of the Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party government before the Assembly election, outlining a total expenditure of ₹6,12,293 crore with a revenue deficit of ₹20,051 crore. Mr. Pawar was presenting the Budget for the tenth time.

The decision to reduce VAT will lower petrol prices by 65 paise per litre and diesel by ₹2.60 per litre, effective from July 1. This crucial move, with the State approaching elections later this year, will cost the State exchequer ₹200 crore, stated Mr. Pawar.

Mr. Pawar commenced the presentation with an abhang (devotional song) by the 17th Century bhakti saint Sant Tukaram Maharaj and announced the “Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin” scheme, providing a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to eligible women in the age group of 21 to 60 years. The scheme, with an annual budgetary allocation of ₹46,000 crore, will be implemented from July.

He further announced that the electricity bill of agricultural pumps of 46.06 lakh farmers will be waived off leading to an expenditure of ₹14,761 crore for the government. “I announce the ‘Mukhya Mantri Baliraja Vij Savlat Yojana’ to provide relief to my farmer brothers who are in distress and need assistance. The government has decided to bear the burden of electricity bills of the farmers and to provide free electricity to agriculture pumps up to 7.5 horsepower capacity. This will help 44.06 lakh farmers. A provision for ₹14,761 crore will be made available in the form of subsidy,” Mr. Pawar said.

Introducing the “Mukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojana” aimed at women, Mr. Pawar, said there is a close connection between fuel used for cooking and women’s health. “It is our responsibility to provide clean fuel to reduce health issues for women. The use of LPG should be intensified as it is a safe fuel. We will provide three LPG cylinders free per household in a year and this will benefit 52,16,412 families,” the Deputy CM said.