Maharashtra will be number one in fulfilling PM Modi's Viksit Bharat dream by 2047: Ajit Pawar

"I am presenting the budget for the financial year 2025/26. Maharashtra will be number one in fulfilling the Prime Minister's dream of developed India by 2047. Maharashtra is number one in foreign direct investment," Ajit Pawar said.

Pawar also said that 56 companies signing MoUs at Davos will bring in investments worth Rs 15.72 lakh crore and generate 16 lakh jobs.

"Maharashtra is number one in foreign direct investment. In Davos, Maharashtra signed MoUs with 56 companies worth Rs 15.72 lakh crore, which will provide employment to 16 lakh people," Ajit Pawar said.

"Maharashtra contributes to 15.4 per cent in country's GDP. MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority) will be made the growth hub of Maharashtra and for that purpose, we have planned seven business centres at various places in the MM region," Ajit Pawar added.

Earlier on Sunday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the state budget will focus on the people, and the ruling Mahayuti government is committed towards the people.

Speaking to the media, Shinde said "The budget is for the people, this government is for the people. We worked for the people in these two and a half years...We worked for the progress of the people, for the change in their lives. Similar work will be done in the next five years."

Notably, this is the first budget for the newly-formed Mahayuti government and Pawar's 11th Budget as Finance Minister. Sheshrao Wankhede, presented the budget 13 times. Ajit Pawar will hold the second-highest record with 11 times, followed by Jayant Patil (10 times) and Sushilkumar Shinde (9 times).

The budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature commenced on March 3, with the Governor addressing the joint session of both houses at Vidhan Bhavan. The budget session of the Maharashtra Legislature is scheduled to conclude on March 26. (ANI)