Maha Budget: Sops for women, package for heAlthcAre sector

MUMBAI: Maharashtra Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Monday presented a budget with Rs 10,226 crore revenue deficit and an annual plan of Rs 1,30,000 crore for 2021-22.

Presenting the budget in the assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Pawar announced a slew of sops for women on the occasion of International Women's day, including one percent stamp duty waiver if the transfer of house property or registration of sale deed is made in women's name.

The shortfall of revenue to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore due to the stamp duty waiver will be met by increasing excise duty and VAT on liquor which will add Rs 1,800 crore to the government coffers.

Other sops include free travel for girl students in state transport buses in rural areas and provision for a women- only battalion of the State Reserve

Police Force.

The total budget will increase by 8.3 percent to Rs 4,37,961 crore in 2021-22, revenue receipts are estimated to increase by 6.2 percent toRs 3,68,987 crore and tax revenue is estimated to jump by 4.5 percent to Rs 2,85,534 crore.

Non-tax revenue including grants will increase by 12.4 percent to Rs 83,453 crore while capital receipts are expected to go up 21 per cent to Rs 69,001 crore, the minister said.

The government is expected to borrow Rs 75,635 crore.

Revenue expenditure will increase by 6.2 percent to Rs 3,79,212 crore.

The government will limit capital expenditure to Rs 2,10,368 crore.

The coronavirus pandemic had an unprecedented impact on the state's economy, said Pawar, informing that the tax revenue as per the revised estimates for 2020-21 is expected to be Rs 2,18,263 crore.