Maharashtra Budget 2018: State Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar Allocates Rs 8,233 Crore For Irrigation Projects, Rs 300 Crore For Shivaji Statue

Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Friday presented the Maharashtra Budget 2018-19 in the State Legislative Assembly.

Mumbai, Mar 9: Maharashtra Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar on Friday presented the Maharashtra Budget 2018-19 in the State Legislative Assembly. This is Mungantiwar’s fourth successive Budget for the state. Mungantiwar focused on the farm sector in his Budget speech while also allocated sums to Shivaji statue in Arabian Sea and Dr Ambedkar memorial in Mumbai. (All updates on Maharashtra Budget here)

Mungantiwar allocated Rs 300 crore for the building of Shivaji statue in the Arabian Sea and said that the government is committed to complete the statue in the next 36 months. He also allocated Rs 150 crore for the building of Dr Ambedkar memorial in Mumbai. (Highlights of Maharashtra Budget 2018-19)

The Maharashtra Finance Minister in his Budget allocated Rs 8,233 crore for irrigation projects. He announced that Rs 3,015 crore will be spent on completing 26 major irrigation projects, under the Pradhan Mantri Sinchai Yojana. An amount of Rs 100 crore has also been allocated for promoting organic farming in the state. “5000 villages will be made drought-free,” he added.

Speaking on farm loan waivers, Mungantiwar said, “Till March 6 banks have transferred Rs 13,782 crore into more than 3.5 million bank accounts of farmer on account of farm loan waiver and incentive scheme.” He also added that a total of 35.68 lakh farmers have been given loan waiver so far.

The finance minister also announced setting up of six new skill universities in the state. “Integrated University Management System will be set up for better management of universities in the state,” Mungantiwar added.

The Maharashtra Budget allocated Rs 13,385 crore allocated for home department. Mungantiwar said that a new system for management of complaints made at police stations will be set up. “All police stations in Maharashtra to have CCTVs,” he added.

The Maharashtra Finance Minister also allocated Rs 7,502 crore for the Versova-Bandra sea link project in Mumbai. Rs 10,828 crore has been allocated for construction, repairs of roads and Rs 100 crore provision was approved for upgrading Nagpur airport.

This Budget is significant as it comes just a year before the Lok Sabha Elections 2019 and a year and a half ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections.