Amid rising fiscal deficit, Maharashtra presents highest supplementary demands since coming to power
The supplementary demands worth Rs 75,286.37 crore presented by Finance Minister Ajit Pawar push Maharashtra's revenue deficit to nearly Rs 2 lakh crore and project a debt burden of Rs 9.32 lakh crore.
Amid fears of rising fiscal and revenue deficits, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar Monday presented supplementary demands worth Rs 75,286.37 crore on the first day of the Winter Session of the state legislature.
Supplementary demand is a formal request by a government to the legislature for additional funds beyond what was originally approved in the annual budget.
In March 2025, Pawar presented the budget with a revenue deficit of Rs 45,890 crore. In June 2025, the government presented supplementary demands worth Rs 57,509.71 crore, crossing the revenue deficit of Rs 1 lakh crore.
With Monday’s supplementary demands of Rs 75,286.37 crore, the state’s revenue deficit is already approaching Rs 2 lakh crore. In addition to the revenue deficit, the budget had projected that Maharashtra’s debt burden would rise to Rs 9.32 lakh crore.
Of the Rs 75,286.38 crore, the government has earmarked Rs 15,648 crore to provide compensation and financial aid to the rain- and flood-hit farmers; Rs 9,250 crore to provide subsidy towards relief in electricity tariffs for agriculture pump, power loom and handloom consumers; Rs 6,103 crore for providing monthly financial aid of Rs 1,500 to eligible beneficiaries under the ambitious Ladki Bahin Yojana; and Rs 4,439.74 crore as state’s share in the central government interest free loan for 40 years.
It has also earmarked Rs 3,500 crore for central and state government share for the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme; Rs 2,200 crore as special grant to urban civic bodies for providing basic amenities and infrastructure; Rs 3,281.79 crore for Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya and Pradhan Mantri Ayushyaman Schemes and Rs 2,500 crore towards refund for stamp duty cess recovered for civic works and metro projects.
Previous supplementary demands
The government presented supplementary demands of Rs 33,738 crore during the Winter Session in December 2024, following the formation of the Devendra Fadnavis-led government after the Assembly elections. During the Budget Session held in March this year, the government tabled supplementary demands worth Rs 6,486 for routine administrative expenses and minor scheme adjustments early in the calendar year.
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In the Monsoon Session in July, the government tabled supplementary demands worth Rs 57,509 to provide funds for welfare schemes, 15th Finance Commission grants, and preparation for Kumbh Mela. Since the Mahayuti government took over, it has presented supplementary demands worth Rs 1,73,019 crore to date.
In these supplementary demands, out of the total money allotted for the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, Rs 4,882 crore has been allotted to general category beneficiaries, Rs 671 crore to Scheduled Caste (SC) beneficiaries, and Rs 549 crore to Scheduled Tribe (ST) beneficiaries.
Demands also include Rs 500 crore to pay dues of the 2017 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Shetkari Samman Yojana, the farm loan waiver scheme announced in the first term of the Fadnavis government.
The government has kept Rs 3,000 crore for the planning and implementation of the Simhastha Kumbha Mela to be held in Nashik. Rs 3,500 crore are additional funds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.
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The government has proposed Rs 500 crore for Maharashtra State Road development Corporation for ancillary work of intelligent transportation system on Nagpur Mumbai Samriddhi Expressway, and Rs 951 crore to give margin money loan to eligible cooperative sugar factories in Maharashtra.
It has also proposed a share capital contribution of Rs 925 crore to the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to repay interest on the loan taken for the construction of the Pune Ring Road and the Jalna-Nanded Expressway Project.
The government has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for the municipal corporation as surcharge received on stamp duty, and Rs 1500 crore for repayment of external loans and interest payments of metro railway projects as surcharge received on stamp duty.
The government has proposed Rs 300 crore for the Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj Research, Training, and Human Development Institute, SARATHI, for construction and training, and Rs 1000 crore as a grant-in-aid to state urban local bodies to carry out works for urban services and facilities. Supplementary demands also include Rs 876.71 crore for the implementation of the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Jan Aarogya Yojana and Rs 427 crore for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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