Maharashtra’s Growth: Mahayuti Surpasses MVA’s Development Track Record

As the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections draw near, both political alliances—the Mahayuti and the Maha Vikas Aghadi—have unveiled their manifestos, each presenting their vision for the state’s future. The Mahayuti alliance has particularly emphasized its tenure in government, contrasting it with the performance of the Maha Vikas Aghadi to appeal to the electorate.

With the Mahayuti leadership claiming to have outperformed the Maha Vikas Aghadi in all significant sectors, the public sentiment reflects a similar view. Many citizens believe that during the Mahayuti government, the state experienced a “development revolution” that outpaced the progress made by the Maha Vikas Aghadi. This narrative is echoed across the state as people highlight the Mahayuti’s successes.

A widespread perception persists that the Mahayuti has surpassed the Maha Vikas Aghadi in every developmental area. This belief has become central to the ongoing election discourse, positioning the Mahayuti as the more effective governance model, according to popular opinion.

 

Mahayuti Government’s Accelerated Welfare Schemes

Formed in June 2022, the Mahayuti government, under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, has rolled out numerous initiatives aimed at uplifting the state’s populace. Among these is the ‘Mazi Ladki Bahin’ scheme, which ensures women beneficiaries receive ₹1,500 per month, a step toward advancing women’s welfare.

Additionally, the government launched several other landmark initiatives, including free higher education for girls, the ‘Ladki Laxmi’ scheme, and the ‘Annapurana Yojana,’ which provides three free cylinders annually to women. In contrast, such extensive welfare schemes for women were noticeably absent during the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, a point frequently raised by the public.

Women’s welfare has been a major focus of the Mahayuti government, with the schemes introduced playing a pivotal role in addressing gender equality and empowerment. In this context, the Mahayuti has built a reputation for putting women at the forefront of its policy agenda.

 

Support for Farmers and Youth

The Mahayuti government has prioritized the agricultural sector and youth empowerment through various schemes. For farmers, the central government’s ‘Kisan Samman Yojana’ was enhanced with an additional ₹500 from the state government, helping alleviate financial burdens.

Further, the Mahayuti introduced a range of farmer-friendly measures, including crop insurance at ₹1 per crop, agricultural electricity bill waivers, and a ₹14,000 crore provision for free electricity. Meanwhile, youth-oriented schemes like ‘On-the-Job Training,’ ‘Sarthi,’ and ‘Barti’ were rolled out to improve skill development and job readiness.

In addition to its focus on farmers, the Mahayuti government has also made substantial investments in the future of Maharashtra’s youth, offering job opportunities, financial support, and skill-building initiatives to foster growth across the state.

 

75,000 Government Jobs Created by Mahayuti Government

Government employment has been a key promise of the Mahayuti government, and it has made significant strides in this area by filling 75,000 government positions in the last two years. Additionally, the government has implemented a pension scheme favored by employees and raised the honorarium for various categories of workers, including Anganwadi workers and agricultural laborers.

The Mahayuti government’s commitment to employment generation is evident in its achievements, including the recruitment of 18,000 police constables. This focus on job creation has been a cornerstone of its tenure and will likely play a critical role in the upcoming elections.

As the government continues to prioritize employment, it has also worked toward improving workers’ welfare, ensuring that these gains contribute to the broader goal of economic stability for the state.

 

Empowering Entrepreneurs and Creating Jobs

One of the standout achievements of the Mahayuti government is its initiative to foster entrepreneurship. By empowering the ‘Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation,’ the government has helped create more than one lakh entrepreneurs, especially from the Maratha community.

The Mahayuti’s efforts in fostering entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand with its broader job creation initiatives, including numerous job fairs across the state. Thousands of young people have benefited from these fairs, which have facilitated their entry into various sectors of employment, adding to the growing momentum of Maharashtra’s economic transformation.

This focus on entrepreneurship aligns with the Mahayuti’s broader economic goals, ensuring that both job seekers and aspiring business owners have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

 

New Health Initiatives Under Mahayuti Leadership

Under the leadership of Eknath Shinde, the Mahayuti government has made notable advancements in the health sector, launching the ‘Balasaheb Thackeray Aapla Dawakhana’ scheme, which provides free medical check-ups at hundreds of health centers across Maharashtra.

The government also expanded the ‘Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana,’ increasing insurance coverage for critical illnesses from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh. This initiative ensures that more people from marginalized communities have access to life-saving medical treatment. In addition, the Mahayuti government has decided to establish 10 new medical colleges, further enhancing healthcare infrastructure.

These health initiatives, aimed at improving access to medical services and ensuring better health outcomes for the people of Maharashtra, reflect the Mahayuti’s broader commitment to public welfare.

 

Accelerating Infrastructure Development, Including Dharavi Redevelopment

Infrastructure development has been a priority for the Mahayuti government, with major projects in roads, highways, railways, and ports making significant headway. High-profile initiatives such as the ‘Atal Setu’ and ‘Mumbai Metro-3’ projects are examples of the government’s push to modernize Maharashtra’s infrastructure.

Perhaps most notably, the redevelopment of Dharavi—Asia’s largest slum—has gained significant momentum. With the tender process complete, the selected company has started conducting surveys, paving the way for the project to take shape. This redevelopment project is set to transform Dharavi into a model of urban planning and economic opportunity.

The progress on these major infrastructure projects underscores the Mahayuti government’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, and inclusive Maharashtra.

 

Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth

The Mahayuti government has touted its economic achievements, highlighting a notable increase in foreign direct investment (FDI). During the tenure of the Maha Vikas Aghadi, Maharashtra received 26.83% of India’s total FDI; however, under the Mahayuti government, this share rose to 37%.

Alongside this growth in FDI, Maharashtra’s GDP growth rate surged from 1.9% under the Maha Vikas Aghadi to 8.5% under the Mahayuti government. The Mahayuti has also made substantial progress in housing for the poor, claiming to have built 10.52 lakh houses compared to the 6.57 lakh constructed during the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s tenure.

These economic developments illustrate the Mahayuti government’s success in attracting investment and driving growth, a central pillar of its election campaign.

 

Mahayuti’s Response to Natural Disasters

The Mahayuti government has shown a commitment to supporting communities during natural disasters, with significant increases in disaster relief funding. The ‘Shabari Adivasi Gharakula Yojana,’ aimed at providing homes for the tribal community, saw the Mahayuti government sanction ₹771 crore for 1.25 lakh homes, compared to ₹447 crore for 18,119 homes under the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

In response to natural calamities, the Mahayuti government allocated ₹16,309 crore in aid to farmers, doubling the amount provided by the previous government. This focus on disaster relief and community support highlights the Mahayuti’s responsiveness to urgent needs.

The government’s robust response to natural disasters further strengthens its reputation as a reliable and empathetic governing body.

 

Employment Generation Through Job Fairs

The Mahayuti government has put a strong emphasis on employment generation, particularly through its job fair initiatives. While the Maha Vikas Aghadi held 396 job fairs that provided employment to 36,000 youth, the Mahayuti government conducted 1,138 job fairs, offering opportunities to 151,000 youth across the state.

The government’s focus on job creation is further supported by its expansion of MSME units, which increased by 77% during its tenure. The Mahayuti government’s efforts have played a pivotal role in reducing unemployment and empowering the youth.

These job fairs and MSME initiatives exemplify the Mahayuti’s commitment to driving employment growth, making it a key issue in the upcoming elections.

Check Also

CMA Achievers Meet: CMD, IREDA Encourages ICMAI to Drive Financial and Corporate Governance Leadership Excellence

Bengaluru, 12th December 2024 The Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICMAI) hosted the “CMA …