Priority to infrastructure and agriculture to achieve the goal of developed Maharashtra: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday said the Mahayuti government has prioritized infrastructure development along with agriculture, industry, employment generation and welfare schemes to achieve the goal of developed Maharashtra. Responding to a discussion in the Assembly on the state budget 2025-26, Pawar said political will is needed to dream big and achieve big development goals. Ajit Pawar also holds the responsibility of the state finance department. He said the Mahayuti government has the strength and political will. He said if road infrastructure and network is expanded, the productivity of industries will increase, farmers will have to bear less expenditure on transportation, fuel will be saved and the economy will get a boost. Pawar said artificial intelligence (AI) technology will give new life to agriculture in the state and make farmers prosperous. He assured that the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana will continue and the money transferred to ineligible beneficiaries will not be withdrawn. Pawar said in the last few months, many women have used Rs 1,500 as initial capital to start small businesses, and many women have given up the benefit of Ujjwala gas scheme after being appealed that the scheme is for the poor sections of the society. “If such women are empowered, the state’s economy will benefit,” he said. The minister said due to the government’s focus on agricultural development, the growth rate of the sector will increase to 8.7 per cent in 2024-25, as against 3.3 per cent in 2023-24. He said AI technology will provide crop management guidance and increase productivity.