Maharashtra budget session begins, governor highlights key initiatives

NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra Legislature's budget session began on Monday, with the governor delivering a joint session address at Vidhan Bhavan. The session's primary focus areas include the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute, investments and welfare programmes.
The governor's address highlighted the administration's dedication to settling the Maharashtra-Karnataka border issue, noting that specialist advocates have been appointed for Supreme Court representation.
He detailed the government's initiatives for Marathi-speaking residents in border regions through educational and healthcare programmes.
The governor emphasised Maharashtra's industrial prominence, citing its contribution of over 14 percent to India's GDP and its status as a preferred foreign direct investment destination.
"At the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025, the Maharashtra government signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs15.72 lakh crore with 63 national and international companies. These agreements are expected to create more than 15 lakh employment opportunities in the state," he said.
"Our government is committed to fostering industrial growth and generating employment opportunities. To attract investment, we have planned to disburse investment promotion subsidies amounting to Rs5,000 crores to various industries in the state. Through the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation, we will also allot approximately 3,500 acres of industrial plots to support and encourage industrialization," the governor added in his speech.
He further added, "Recognizing the demand for land, we have decided to notify 10,000 acres for industrial purposes and develop 10 industrial parks and integrated logistics parks to strengthen the industrial supply chain and create a world-class business ecosystem."
Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar assured on Sunday that despite the opposition's absence from the pre-session meeting, the government would ensure smooth session proceedings. The Budget Session, commencing Monday, will conclude on March 26.
"The opposition did not attend the meeting today ahead of the Budget Session. The opposition has sent us a letter...we will definitely try to run this session smoothly," said Pawar.
Ajit Pawar, who manages the Finance and Planning portfolio, will present the State Budget for 2025-26 in both Houses on March 10. The Legislative Assembly will remain operational on March 8, despite it being a public holiday.