Maharashtra budget session 2024: State government to construct ‘Maharashtra Bhavan’ in Srinagar and Ayodhya

Maharashtra budget session 2024: State government to construct ‘Maharashtra Bhavan’ in Srinagar and Ayodhya. Pic/PTI

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Tuesday said that the state government will construct "Maharashtra Bhavan" in Jammu and Kashmir's capital city Srinagar and Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya.

Pawar, who also holds the Finance Ministry portfolio, was speaking after presenting the state budget.

"It has been decided to construct 'Maharashtra Bhavan' at Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir and Sri Ram Janmabhoomi, Ayodhya to provide better and safer facilities to the tourists and devotees of the State at reasonable rates. In both these places, the respective State Governments have provided land at prime locations for which a provision of Rs. 77 crores is proposed," he said.

He also said that proposals will be invited from international architects for the redevelopment of Government buildings at Mantralaya and surrounding areas with state-of-the-art facilities.

An outlay of Rs.1,186 crores proposed under scheme expenditure for Cultural Affairs Department, Rs. 1,973 crores for Tourism Department, Rs.1,367 crores for Public Works (Building) Department and Rs.474 crores for Revenue Department for the year 2024-25.

Ajit Pawar also said that subsidy will be given to Marathi Mandals promoting Marathi language outside Maharashtra. Adequate funds will be made available for the conservation of buildings, structures and monuments of Marathi Mandals.

"Marathi language sub-centres will be established in Belgaon, Karnataka, on the lines of Goa and Delhi, and adequate funds will be made available. The work of Marathi Bhasha Bhavan at Girgaon in Mumbai will be completed in a time bound manner," he added.

An Outlay of Rs 920 crores proposed under scheme expenditure for Information Technology Department, Rs 547 crores each to Information and Public Relations Department and Legislative Secretariat, Rs 71 crores to Marathi Language Department for the year 2024-25.

Ajit Pawar announced that a new MSME policy is being prepared for the state. "Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, the government intends to give tap water connections to nearly 1.47 crore households. The government plans to provide 34,400 homes for Divyang people under the Housing for All Scheme," he said.

"The Maharashtra government is planning to build Maharashtra Bhavan in Ayodhya and Srinagar. To acquire land in these two places, ₹77 Crore is being proposed to be allocated. Freedom fighters' pension is being doubled from ₹10,000 per month to ₹20,000 per month. The govt also proposes to make memorials of great personalities like Ahilyabai Holkar, Jyotiba Phule, Lahuji Salve and many others," he added.