Maharashtra govt tables Rs 97,706 cr supplementary demands; Rs 20,552 cr for farm loan waiver

Mumbai (PTI): The Maharashtra government on Monday tabled supplementary demands of Rs 97,706.40 crore, including Rs 20,552 crore for the farm loan waiver scheme, with a net additional burden of Rs 74,817.66 crore on the exchequer.

Notably, the Opposition has been demanding a complete farm loan waiver with minimal technical conditions. NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar protested earlier this month to press for removal of “stringent” conditions from the farm loan waiver scheme and demand a blanket loan waiver for farmers.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis tabled the demands in the assembly on the first day of the legislature's monsoon session on Monday.

Of the total supplementary demands, Rs 13,825.71 crore has been sought for unavoidable expenditure, Rs 66,559.40 crore for programme-related spending, and Rs 17,321.29 crore against expenditure to be supported through funds available under centrally sponsored schemes.

Despite the gross demands of Rs 97,706.40 crore, the actual financial burden will be Rs 74,817.66 crore due to adjustments and recoveries, an official note released by the government said.

Among the largest allocations proposed is Rs 20,552 crore for the farm loan waiver scheme - Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Shetkari Karjmukti Yojana, 2026.

A provision of Rs 10,007.10 crore has been made towards interest-free loans under the Centre's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment scheme.

Another Rs 8,000 crore has been earmarked for repayment of loans and interest liabilities of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL).

The government has proposed Rs 7,367.32 crore for the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) programme, comprising both central and state shares, and Rs 4,000 crore for payment of electricity bills of government offices through a unified billing system.

A sum of Rs 3,076 crore has been sought for the AMRUT 2.0 mission (aimed at making cities water-secure and self-sustaining), while Rs 3,000 crore has been set aside for planning and execution of the Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

The government has also sought Rs 2,722.42 crore towards electricity tariff subsidies for agricultural pumps, powerlooms, textile and industrial consumers and Rs 2,360.06 crore for scholarship schemes covering tuition and examination fees.

A provision of Rs 2,000 crore has been made for beneficiaries under the Shravanbal Seva State Pension Scheme and Rs 1,874.38 crore for disabled and general category beneficiaries under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana.

An allocation of Rs 1,734.92 crore has been proposed for honorarium and salaries of anganwadi workers, while Rs 1,100 crore has been earmarked for projects of the Vidarbha Irrigation Development Corporation.

Other notable provisions include Rs 1,000 crore each for Swachh Maharashtra Abhiyan (Urban) 2.0 and equity contribution to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation for the Revas-Reddi coastal highway project.

The supplementary demands also include Rs 942.50 crore for employment guarantee schemes, Rs 777 crore as equity contribution to district central cooperative banks, Rs 744.45 crore for the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Rs 600 crore for the development and commercial complex plan around the Shri Vitthal-Rukmini temple precinct in Pandharpur.

Department-wise, the highest supplementary allocation of Rs 22,015.42 crore has been proposed for the Cooperation, Marketing and Textiles Department, followed by the Urban Development Department with Rs 15,152.43 crore and the Industries, Energy, Labour and Mining Department with Rs 14,760.48 crore.

The Finance Department has been allocated Rs 9,934 crore and the Planning Department Rs 9,539.03 crore.

The Public Works Department is set to receive Rs 5,361.90 crore, while allocations of Rs 3,481.01 crore and Rs 3,061.26 crore have been proposed for the Social Justice and Special Assistance Department and Public Health Department, respectively, according to the government.