On the opening day of Maharashtra’s Monsoon Assembly Session, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar tabled supplementary demands amounting to a staggering ₹57,509.71 crore, a move that has reignited debates around the state’s financial discipline and election-season spending.
At a time when the state’s revenue deficit already stands at ₹45,890 crore, the fresh demands, over eight times higher than those made in March (₹6,480.20 crore), have raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Pawar’s presentation signals an assertive attempt by the Mahayuti government to fast-track development works, many of which are seen as politically significant ahead of municipal elections.
Among the biggest beneficiaries is the Urban Development Department, led by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, which has been allocated ₹15,465.13 crore. The timing is telling, with elections due in 29 urban local bodies, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the funding is expected to fuel an infrastructure push that doubles as an electoral strategy.
From the Opposition, NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil called out the government’s “financial mismanagement,” warning that the state’s total revenue deficit could now breach ₹1 lakh crore. “This is not just about development. It reflects deeper fiscal irresponsibility,” he said.
Beyond urban development, ₹11,042.76 crore has been marked in line with the 15th Finance Commission’s recommendations. Meanwhile, with road contractors staging protests over unpaid dues reportedly totalling ₹80,000 crore, the state has allocated ₹9,068.49 crore to the Public Works Department to settle pending payments for road and bridge projects.
