Maharashtra Budget 2025: Ajit Pawar allocates Rs 36,000 crore to Ladki Bahin scheme, mum on stipend hike

NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra government on Monday allocated Rs 3,098 crores for the higher and technical education department and Rs 3,496 crores for the School Education and Sports Department for the year 2025-26. The deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented his 11th state budget in the legislative assembly.

Ajit Pawar also announced a new industrial policy, focussing on Rs 40 lakh crore investment and generation of 50 lakh jobs.

While the government allocated Rs 36,000 crore for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme , it made no mention of the hike in the allowance from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 in the beneficiaries, as promised by the ruling Mahayuti before the assembly elections last year.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, however, said the poll promise will be fulfilled after the fiscal balance is achieved, but it will not be done from April, the PTI reported.

The state government has also proposed outlay of Rs 2,574 crores for the medical education and medical drugs department and Rs 31,907 crores for the women and child development department, as per the budget speech.

During his budget speech, the minister said about 100% reimbursement of the educational and examination fees to encourage female students to pursue professional courses. “This benefit is given to female students who are admitted through the centralized admission process in recognized higher and professional courses, and whose family's annual income is less than Rs 8 lakhs,” he added.