Maha Vikas Aghadi govt's Budget focuses on ‘nari shakti’ in Maharashtra

Focusing on ‘nari shakti’, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra announced a slew of measures for girls and women on Monday during the announcement of the annual state budget which coincided with International Women’s Day celebrations.

For the year 2021-22, the state government has proposed an outlay of Rs. 2,247 crores for the Women and Child Development Department to execute various schemes.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress government decided to provide a concession of 1 per cent on stamp duty over the prevailing rate exclusively for women, provided that the house property or registration of sale deed is in the name of the woman.

The scheme would be known as “Rajmata Jijau Griha-Swamini Yojana”, said Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the Finance and Planning portfolio.

“The lady gives meaning to the house and it is not wrong for her to expect ownership in the property. It is part of the women empowerment process,” Pawar said while announcing the Budget for 2021-22 in the Assembly.

The said tax concession would lead to a revenue shortfall of around Rs 1,000 crores. Pawar, however, proposed to increase the State Excise Duty and VAT on liquor, a move that would help the state mop up Rs 1,000 crore.

Pawar said that Maharashtra has been a leader in policy-making for women and has taken many progressive steps for the education of girls and said that their education is free till 12th grade.

He also announced a new scheme under the name of “Krantijyoti Sawitribai Phule” for free travel of girl students in rural areas from their villages to schools and colleges using the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses. Pawar added that the state will provide 1,500 environment-friendly CNG and Hybrid buses to the State Transport Corporation on a priority basis.

Pawar also announced that the state would provide additional special buses for women under the “Tejasvini Yojna” scheme for easy and safe travel of women in metro cities.

“Nav-Tejaswini Maharashtra Gramin Mahila Udyam Vikas,” a project for self-help groups funded by the International Funds for Agricultural Development (IFAD), would cost Rs 522.98 crore, he said. It will be a six-year project and the members will get opportunities to improve livelihood that would lead to value addition of their businesses.

To empower women and children, 3% of funds in the District Annual Plan would be reserved for them. “I believe that around Rs. 300 crores will be available every year,” he said.

Pawar also announced the formation of the first women's battalion of the State Reserve Police Force in the country.