Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar will present the Maharashtra Budget 2025-26 on Monday, marking the first financial document of the newly-formed Mahayuti-NDA government. The budget is expected to be presented at around 2 pm today. This will be Pawar’s 11th Budget as Finance Minister and comes amid major financial challenges, including a debt burden exceeding Rs 8 lakh crore.
Despite these constraints, the Fadnavis-Shinde-Pawar government is expected to balance populist schemes, infrastructure development, and economic growth while fulfilling pre-election promises. With upcoming local body elections in major cities like Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur, the budget is expected to include major welfare measures aimed at strengthening voter support.
Key Focus: Ladki Bahin Yojana Expansion
One of the most anticipated announcements is the expansion of the Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, a direct cash transfer scheme for women launched in 2024. Currently, women aged 21-65 years with an annual family income below Rs 2.5 lakh receive Rs 1,500 per month. Reports suggest the amount may be increased to Rs 2,100 per month in line with pre-election promises.
By December 2024, financial aid worth Rs 17,505.90 crore had already been disbursed to 2.38 crore beneficiaries. The scheme’s total expenditure from July 2024 to March 2025 is projected at Rs 33,300 crore, making it one of the largest welfare initiatives in the state.
Balancing Welfare & Growth
While the government faces pressure to sustain populist schemes, it also aims to drive industrial growth and infrastructure development. Maharashtra signed MoUs worth Rs 15.70 lakh crore at the World Economic Forum in Davos, signaling aggressive industrial expansion.
According to the Economic Survey of Maharashtra 2024-25, the state's debt stock is estimated at Rs 7,82,991 crore, with Rs 56,727 crore in interest payments. However, the debt-to-GSDP ratio of 17.3 per cent remains within the prescribed fiscal limit of 25 per cent, ensuring stability. The state economy is projected to grow at 7.3 per cent, higher than the national GDP growth of 6.5 per cent.
Pawar’s Legacy Of Budget Presentations
Ajit Pawar has a history of symbolic budget presentations. In 2021, he dedicated the budget to women on International Women’s Day, and in 2022, he honoured Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on his death anniversary. Over the years, his budgets have focused on agriculture, industry, transportation, healthcare and employment.
With public expectations running high, the 2025-26 Budget is expected to bring surprises and major announcements, setting the tone for the Mahayuti government’s economic roadmap.
