Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 10: In his budget presentation for the financial year 2025-26, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar outlined the state’s ambitious plans to play a leading role in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed India by 2047.
“I am presenting the budget for the financial year 2025/26. Maharashtra will be number one in fulfilling the Prime Minister’s dream of a developed India by 2047. Maharashtra is number one in foreign direct investment,” Pawar announced.
He highlighted Maharashtra’s success in attracting investment, stating that 56 companies had signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at the Davos summit, which would bring in investments worth Rs 15.72 lakh crore and generate 16 lakh jobs. “Maharashtra is number one in foreign direct investment. In Davos, Maharashtra signed MoUs with 56 companies worth Rs 15.72 lakh crore, which will provide employment to 16 lakh people,” Pawar added.
The Finance Minister also noted that Maharashtra contributes 15.4% to India’s GDP and unveiled plans for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) to become a growth hub for the state. “We have planned seven business centres at various places in the MM region,” he said.
Earlier, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde remarked that the state budget was centered on the welfare of the people, with the Mahayuti government committed to progress and development. “The budget is for the people, this government is for the people. We worked for the people in these two and a half years…We worked for the progress of the people, for the change in their lives. Similar work will be done in the next five years,” Shinde stated.
This marks the first budget presented by the newly-formed Mahayuti government and the 11th budget for Ajit Pawar as Finance Minister. Notably, Sheshrao Wankhede holds the record with 13 budgets presented, while Ajit Pawar follows closely with 11. Other notable former Finance Ministers include Jayant Patil with 10 budgets and Sushilkumar Shinde with 9.
The Maharashtra Legislature’s budget session commenced on March 3, with the Governor’s address to both houses at Vidhan Bhavan. The session is scheduled to conclude on March 26.