Maharashtra budget 2024: Key highlights of state's budget presented by Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday announced a financial assistance scheme entailing a monthly allowance of Rs 1500 to eligible women in the age group of 21 to 60 years in the state Budget for 202425Ajit Pawar who holds the finance portfolio said in his budget speech in the assembly that the scheme Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will be implemented from July four months ahead of the state polls which are due in OctoberAn annual budgetary allocation of Rs 46000 crore will be made for the scheme he saidldquoMaharashtra has achieved development by placing women at the center following the legacy of progressiveness of Shiv Shahu PhuleAmbedkar Maharashtra is the first State in the country to provide reservation for women in education employment and politics The State announced first womens policy in 1994 It has been amended from time to time to meet the timely requirement The fourth eightpoint State Women Policy has been announced recently Various schemes for nutrition health education entrepreneurship as well as skill development and employment will be effectively implemented for women and girls to get equal rights and status in social administrative and political spheresrdquo Ajit Pawar saidldquoSchemes like ldquoLek Ladkirdquo which welcomes the birth of a girl child and gives financial assistance to her till the age of 18 years Janani Suraksha Yojana for the health and institutional delivery of expectant mothers Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana Empowerment of rural women through selfhelp groups concession on bus travel concession on stamp duty for house purchase various schemes like Shakti Sadan Yojana for women with family issues professional tax exemption for working women women hostels womencentric tourism policy are being implemented effectivelyrdquo he addedKey highlightsMukhya Mantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin YojanaAjit Pawar said that woman is the pillar of strength for the family ldquoShe fights on both the fronts of managing the family and earning income We also see women who singlehandedly take care of the family and raise successful children It has become a rule now that the girls obtain the lead positions while results of various examinations get published It is our duty as the government to open the doors of opportunity to our sisters and encourage themrdquo he saidldquoI announce the ambitious and comprehensive ldquoMukhya Mantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojanardquo for our daughters and sisters The Government will provide Rs1500 per month to eligible women between 21 to 60 years of age for the overall progress of women including economic independence self reliance health and nutrition An amount of around Rs 46000 crores will be made available for the ldquoMukhya Mantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojanardquo every year The scheme will be implemented from July 2024rdquo he saidMothers name mandatory on government documentsThe Maharashtra government has made mothers name mandatory on government documents ldquoIt has been made mandatory to record the name of a person born after May 1 2024 in the order of his name mothers name fathers name and surname in all the government documentsrdquo Ajit Pawar saidPink erickshawThe state government has also announced ldquoPink ERickshawrdquo scheme for selfemployment and safe travel of women in this years Interim Budget ldquoIn the first phase of the scheme 10000 women across 17 cities of the State will be provided financial assistance for purchasing rickshaws A provision of Rs 80 crores will be made available for this schemerdquo the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister saidNew AmbulancesThere are 3324 ambulances operational free of cost for transport of patients especially pregnant women and children from home to health institutions and back Old ambulances will be replaced by new ambulances the state government saidMukhya Mantri Annapurna YojanaAjit Pawar while presenting the Budget said ldquoThere is a close connection between fuel used for cooking and health of women It is our responsibility to provide clean fuel to reduce the health issues of women The use of LPG should be intensified as this is a safe fuel To make gas cylinders affordable to every household I am announcing the ldquoMukhya Mantri Annapurna Yojanardquo today which will provide free three gas cylinders per household per year The benefit of this scheme will be given to 5216412 families This will also facilitate environmental protectionrdquo he saidBenefits to Anganwadi EmployeesThe Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister announced that Anganwadi workers helpers and mini Anganwadi workers are currently being given a benefit of upto one lakh rupees in case of retirement death resignation etcLakhpati DidiUnder the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihood Mission 648 lakhs women selfhelp groups are functioning and 7 lakhs new groups will be established The amount of revolving fund of selfhelp groups has been increased from Rs15000 to Rs30000ldquoA ldquoUnity Mallrdquo is being constructed at Ulwe Navi Mumbai which will provide a platform for women selfhelp groups and artisans to display and sell their productsrdquo Ajit Pawar saidldquoThe products produced by women selfhelp groups are currently marketed through ldquoUmed Martrdquo ldquoECommerce Online Platformrdquo and through exhibitions So far 15 lakhs women have got the honour of becoming ldquoLakhpati Didirdquo this year The target is to make 25 lakh women this year as ldquoLakhpati Didirdquordquo he addedAai YojanaAai Yojana has been launched by the government for interest subvention on loans taken upto Rs15 lakhs by small women entrepreneurs in the tourism sector It will generate 10000 jobsSpecial fast track courtsldquoThe State government is providing necessary funds to 100 special fast track courts for atrocities against women and childrenrdquo Ajit Pawar said