Maharashtra has received an advance instalment of Rs 6,418 crore from the Central government, as part of tax devolution ahead of the festive season, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said, reported news agency PTI.
The Centre on Wednesday said it has released an additional instalment of tax devolution of Rs 1,01,603 crore to state governments to enable them to accelerate capital spending and finance their development/welfare-related expenditure.
This is in addition to the normal monthly devolution of Rs 81,735 crore due to be released on October 10, it said.
In a statement on Thursday, Pawar, who is also the state finance and planning minister, said that Maharashtra has received Rs 6,418 crore from the Centre, reported PTI.
He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for releasing the funds.
“With the upcoming festival season, and to enable the state to ramp up capital expenditure and provide adequate funding for our welfare and development schemes, this amount will undoubtedly prove beneficial for Maharashtra,” Pawar said, reported PTI.
Ajit Pawar calls for joint efforts with Germany to enhance cooperation
Earlier, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Wednesday stressed the need for a joint steering committee with Germany to enhance cooperation in the field of green energy, education and culture, reported PTI.
A delegation led by the Consul General of Germany paid a courtesy call to Pawar at Sahyadri Guest House, an official statement said.
The meeting reviewed ongoing Maharashtra-Germany cooperation projects, progress in the Maharashtra-Baden-Württemberg partnership, agreements on skill migration and vocational training, as well as initiatives related to language training and other subjects.
The German delegation included Consul General Christoph Hallier and the Deputy Consul General.
During the meeting, Ajit Pawar emphasised the need to establish a Maharashtra-Germany Joint Steering Committee to enhance cooperation in the fields of green energy, sustainable mobility, smart cities, research and startup ecosystems, higher education exchange, and cultural relations in the coming years, reported PTI.
Pawar further assured that the Maharashtra government will extend all necessary support to resolve challenges faced by German entrepreneurs investing in the state. He also highlighted the need to create more employment opportunities in Germany for Maharashtra`s youth and drew attention to the issues faced by Indian students pursuing education in Germany, reported PTI.
He expressed confidence that this cooperation would bring advanced technology, skill development, employment generation, and foreign investment to Maharashtra, while Germany would gain a reliable partnership and access to new markets.
(With inputs from PTI)
