Eknath Shinde, the deputy chief minister, reiterated the state’s commitment to growth and progress in his speech to the Maharashtra Legislative Council on Wednesday. He gave his word that Maharashtra is still dedicated to moving forward in the direction set down in the Constitution and will keep working towards a successful future.
Speaking during discussions under Rule 259 in the final week of the session, Shinde underscored Maharashtra’s remarkable achievements. “Maharashtra ranks first in numerous welfare schemes and will maintain its leadership in the future. There is no cause for concern regarding the state’s progress,” he stated, highlighting its dominance across various sectors.
The state currently leads the country in GDP, exports, industrial output, GST collection, and start-up ecosystems. Additionally, Maharashtra has attracted the highest levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) and secured the top position in cleanliness rankings.
Maharashtra is also home to India’s most extensive infrastructure projects, with developments worth Rs 10 lakh crore underway, further reinforcing its status as a frontrunner in multiple fields.
Shinde addressed ongoing initiatives to support farmers, referencing a recent meeting on crop insurance and e-crop monitoring. He announced the development of a dedicated app and website to provide farmers with a single-window interface for assistance.
Furthermore, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates recently met with the Chief Minister to discuss investment opportunities in Maharashtra’s agricultural sector. Gates expressed interest in deploying AI technology to enhance agricultural productivity, potentially doubling or even quadrupling yields, and pledged support in this endeavour.
Digital governance and the Right to Service remain top priorities, with Maharashtra aiming to become a national leader in these areas. The state is also focused on enhancing connectivity through metro networks, pod taxis, roads, railways, and water transport.
Shinde outlined ambitious plans for the tourism sector, which include comprehensive policies for agritourism, adventure tourism, caravan tourism, and beach shacks. Historic forts will be transformed into wellness centres, and a major tourism festival is set to take place in Mahabaleshwar this May.
Additionally, Maharashtra is reviewing 19 major infrastructure projects, including metros, highways, airports, ports, irrigation schemes, and water supply systems. The Van Ganga-Nal Ganga River Linking Project is progressing steadily and is expected to significantly improve irrigation in the Vidarbha and Marathwada regions.
As India’s second most populous state, Maharashtra also boasts the highest GDP in the country. Shinde highlighted the state’s robust financial health, with its borrowing ratio standing at just 18%—the lowest in India.
On the subject of law and order, Shinde reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding women, stressing a strict “zero tolerance” policy towards crimes against women. He assured that steps will continue to be taken to ensure women’s safety and freedom in society.
Shinde indicated that purchases of soybeans and cotton had gone smoothly in terms of agricultural procurement. Maharashtra, which runs 124 procurement facilities, has successfully acquired 18.3 million metric tonnes of premium cotton. Because of the high level of farmer participation, the state has also asked the federal government to extend the deadline for purchasing soybeans.
Concluding his speech, Shinde declared that Maharashtra’s momentum towards development is unstoppable and that the state is poised for even greater success. Calling for collective efforts, he urged, “Let us embrace this new dawn of progress in Maharashtra and work together to build a brighter future.”
Source: The Free Press Journal
