Maharashtra Budget Reflects Reduced Fuel Tax, Free Cooking Gas Cylinder, other schemes

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar unearthed an array of welfare schemes which hoped to provide some financial relief and some support to the residents of the state. The announcements were made while presenting the 2024-25 state budget in the Maharashtra State Assembly. Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana’, all households will receive three free cooking gas cylinders periodically. The families under financial stress will benefit a lot from the scheme and it will help ease pressure on them.

They would also be provided access to cooking fuel. The government also introduced the “Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana”, under which the government will provide financial assistance to women aged between 21 to 60 years. The scheme has a annual budget allocation of Rs 46,000 crore annually and aims to economically empower women. Women will receive a monthly allowance of Rs1500 every month. Reduction in fuel taxes was also announced for the Mumbai region. The tax was reduced from 24% to 21% for Mumbai region for diesel. Petrol prices were also slashed from 26% to 25%.

Farmers were also provided necessary support from the budget, there electricity bills were waived off and the benefit was provided to 44 lakh farmers. To enhance agricultural productivity and income, farmers growing soya bean and cotton are going to receive a bonus of Rs 5000 per hectare. To support the dairy business in the state, milk producing farmers will continue to receive a bonus of Rs5 per litre even after July 1. Government of Maharashtra has also increased the financial compensation for animal attack victims to Rs 25 Lakh from the previous Rs 20 lakh to provide financial security to the affected families.