After setback in Lok Sabha polls in Maharashtra, Maha Yuti govt presents 'freebie budget'

Maharashtra's Maha Yuti government has announced several freebies in the last budget before assembly polls, contrary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exhortations to 'get rid of the revdi culture'. The populist budget came weeks after the alliance suffered a big setback in the Lok Sabha polls.

The budget announced three free cylinders a year for BPL families, free electricity for farmers and ₹1,500 per month for women between 21-60 years. Finance minister Ajit Pawar outlined a ₹6,12,293 crore budget, with an expected revenue deficit of ₹20,151 crore and a fiscal deficit of ₹1,10,355 crore. Maharashtra has a debt burden of more than ₹7 lakh crore.

Mukhya Mantri Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojana will give ₹1,500 per month to poor women at an annual expenditure of ₹46,000 crore. The scheme would start from July 1. The free LPG cylinders for poor would be under the Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana and is expected to benefit over 52 lakh families. Money for the cylinders would be paid directly into beneficiary accounts.

Under the Mukhya Mantri Baliraja Vij Savlat Yojana, the state would provide free electricity to farmers to run agricultural pumps. Farmers using up to 7 horsepower water pumps will be given free electricity. The annual cost would be ₹14,716 crore and would benefit ₹44.06 lakh farmers. The state will reimburse 100% tuition and examination fees to girls from backward classes and economically weaker sections with up to ₹8 lakh annual income at a cost around ₹2,000 crore per year. The scheme would also apply for students in professional diploma courses in engineering, architecture, pharmacy, medicine and benefit ₹2.05 lakh girls. The budget has hiked financial assistance for women to purchase e-rickshaws for self-employment and subsidy for community marriages from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.

The government will construct 100 new godowns for agriculture produce and a new dairy business entrepreneurship project in animal husbandry, dairy farming, animal fodder and animal feed production. Under Mukhhya Mantri Yuva Karya- prashikshan Yojana, each trainee will be given a stipend of ₹10k/month at an annual cost of ₹10,000 crore.

Maximum compensation for crop damage from wildlife has been increased from 25,000 to 50,000. Farmers seeking solar pumps will be given them free. The budget also has announced government hostels for children of sugarcane workers. The budget said medical colleges will be established in several districts. Financial assistance has been increased from ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 for destitutes, widows, disabled and elderly citizens. Under the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, health insurance cover has been increased from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh per family. The budget has also tried to woo dwellers of Mumbai metropolitan region and nearby areas with cut in taxes on diesel and petrol from 24% to 21%.