Left with very few revenue-boosting options, Maharashtra's Finance Minister Ajit Pawar has chosen to tax the sale of petrol and diesel by Rs 1 per litre, in addition to the existing value-added tax (VAT). Pawar said the amount collected through the 'cess' would be used to create a dedicated 'Green Fund' for implementing environmental projects in the wake of climate change and global warming.

On the other hand, Pawar offered good news to prospective homebuyers in Mumbai Metropolitan Region, Pune, Pimpri, Chinchwad and Nagpur by relaxing stamp duty by 1 per cent for the next two years while power consumers were given a concession with a reduction in electricity duty in order to reduce their monthly bills.

He made the announcements during the Maha Vikas Aghadi's (MVA) first and slowdown-affected budget on Friday, which were also MVA's 100 days in office.