Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], March 10 (ANI): Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday debunked reports that the state government has deceased money for the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme and assured that the beneficiaries will get their money.

'We have not decreased the money for the 'Ladki Bahin'. Everyone will get their money. We have kept the money for the scheme as per trends of need. If more finance is needed for the scheme, we can make another provision for it. We will fulfil our promise of providing Rs 2100 per month to our sisters,' CM Fadnavis said.

CM Fadnavis announced that the government is planning to provide 300 units of free electricity every month and use Artificial Intelligence to help farmers get more produce.

At a joint press conference held after the presentation of the Maharashtra Budget, CM Fadnavis briefed reporters about the Budget. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar was also present.

He claimed that the State was leading in the collection of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

'The Fiscal deficit of Maharashtra is contained at 2.9 per cent. For the next year, it's estimated to be at 2.7 per cent. We can take loans of 25 per cent of our total GSDP, but we are only at 18 per cent at present. Our loan has increased, but our loan eligibility limit has also increased. We are 7 per cent higher than the national average for the GST collection in the current year. We are at the top in GST collection and FDI,' CM Fadnavis said.

He further informed, 'Union government has sanctioned 20 lakh houses; out of those, 18 lakh persons are approved, and funds are already distributed for 16 lakh houses. We are planning to implement programs to provide free electricity to households for upto 300 units per month through solar energy. We will use AI to help farmers get higher produce from their land,' CM Fadnavis said.

He also said that the state government will incentivize women to focus on credit societies and self-help groups and referred to a group in Nagpur.

'We will encourage women to form more and more credit societies and self-help groups. A similar group was formed by women in Nagpur with the help of the money given under 'Ladki Bahin'. We are trying to make 'Lakhpati didi' based on central and state schemes where women can earn up to Rs 8000 per month...',' CM Fadnavis added.

In his budget presentation for the financial year 2025, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said that the state is poised to take a leading role in realizing the Prime Minister's dream of a developed India by 2047.

'I am presenting the budget for the financial year 2025/26. Maharashtra will be number one in fulfilling the Prime Minister's dream of a developed India by 2047. Maharashtra is number one in foreign direct investment,' Ajit Pawar said.

Pawar also said that 56 companies signing MoUs at Davos will bring in investments worth Rs 15.72 lakh crore and generate 16 lakh jobs.

'Maharashtra is number one in foreign direct investment. In Davos, Maharashtra signed MoUs with 56 companies worth Rs 15.72 lakh crore, which will provide employment to 16 lakh people,' Ajit Pawar said.

'Maharashtra contributes to 15.4 per cent in country's GDP. MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) will be made the growth hub of Maharashtra and for that purpose, we have planned seven business centres at various places in the MM region,' Ajit Pawar added.

Notably, this is the first budget for the newly-formed Mahayuti government and Pawar's 11th Budget as Finance Minister. Sheshrao Wankhede, presented the budget 13 times. Ajit Pawar will hold the second-highest record with 11 times, followed by Jayant Patil (10 times) and Sushilkumar Shinde (9 times).

The budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature commenced on March 3 and is scheduled to conclude on March 26. (ANI)