Maharashtra Budget Session: No flagship scheme will be discontinued, says CM

The state government is committed to presenting a wellbalanced budget during the upcoming legislative session ensuring that financial discipline does not impact capital expenditure Chief Minister CM Devendra Fadnavis said during the press conference with his deputies Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde on Sunday on the eve of the Maharashtra Budget Session 2025 He also assured that no flagship scheme would be discontinuedThe press conference was held after the tea party reception with the legislators from the ruling alliance The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi MVA boycotted the tea party over the failure of governance in the stateParliamentary Affairs Minister Chandrakant Patil Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan Tourism Minister Shambhuraj Desai Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane Other Backward Classes OBC Welfare Minister Atul Save Marketing and Protocol Minister Jaykumar Rawal Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik and Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike were also present for the press conferenceCM Fadnavis stated that this is the first Budget Session of the newly formed government which will last for four weeks Two significant discussions will take place during the session On March 8 on the occasion of International Womenrsquos Day there will be a special discussion marking the 300th birth anniversary of Maratha Queen Ahilyabai Holkar Additionally a twoday discussion will be held on the Constitution as part of the Amrit Mahotsav celebrations The session will also see debates on five bills with an emphasis on positive and detailed discussions on all subjects including the participation of new legislatorsCM clarifies on health department file and HSRPAddressing reports about a file from the health department being stalled CM Fadnavis clarified that no such file had reached him nor had he put any hold on itHe explained that 9 per cent of the allocated funds were meant for capital expenditure under a Centreapproved scheme but the Centre later revised the limit to 5 per cent The ministers and secretaries concerned have been asked to prioritise accordinglyRegarding HighSecurity Registration Plates HSRP for vehicles the CM stated that Maharashtrarsquos charges are lower than those in other states He noted that in other states the GST goods and services tax and installation costs are charged separately whereas in Maharashtra both are included in the priceOn soybean procurement CM Fadnavis highlighted that this yearrsquos procurement is 10 times higher than the highest in the past 15 years Warehouses are running out of storage space owing to the high volume of purchases he informed and urged the media to present the governmentrsquos perspective while reporting such matters to prevent misunderstandingsAction against insult to Chhatrapati Shivaji MaharajCM Fadnavis reiterated that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is Maharashtrarsquos revered leader and any derogatory remarks about him will not be tolerated He assured strict action against those making such statements adding that his government follows the path laid down by the great Maratha warriorEvaluation of 100day initiativeThe CM stated that the governmentrsquos 100day initiative has received a tremendous response He informed that he and his deputies have reviewed the progress noting significant improvements including cleaner offices and wellorganised record rooms In a recent virtual meeting around 7000 government officers and employees participated in the initiativeAfter the 100day period the initiative will be independently evaluated by the Centrersquos Quality Council of India Departments with outstanding performance will be recognised while benchmarks will be set to assess underperformanceGovernment committed to development ShindeDeputy CM Eknath Shinde emphasised that the state government is working for the welfare of the common people balancing development projects with social welfare schemes He stated that the pace of Maharashtrarsquos development will double with growth accelerating fourfold and this will be reflected in the upcoming budget He urged the opposition to participate in the proceedings to raise public concerns assuring that all queries will be addressedPrepared to answer all questions PawarDeputy CM Ajit Pawar assured that the state government is prepared to address all concerns raised during the Maharashtra Budget Session 2025 He stated that discussions would cover the Governorrsquos address supplementary demands and two major special debates The government is ready to provide answers to every issue said Pawar