Mumbai, Sep 17: In a major push to reinforce Maharashtra’s fiscal health and support its long-term growth roadmap, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the constitution of the Maharashtra Sustainable Public Finance Committee.

Headed by renowned economist and former Union Finance Secretary Dr Vijay Kelkar, the high-level panel, which was announced late Wednesday evening, is tasked with recommending measures to ensure sustainable growth in tax and non-tax revenues.

The decision forms an integral part of the state’s ‘Viksit Maharashtra @ 2047’ vision document, which outlines a strategic roadmap to scale the state’s economy to $1 trillion by 2030 and $5 trillion by 2047—coinciding with the centenary of India’s Independence.

The panel has been tasked with making recommendations to modernise the tax system, plug revenue leakages, and rationalise tax rates, fees, and exemptions; identify untapped revenue streams and maximise returns from public assets and state enterprises; streamline public spending while balancing expanding committed expenditures such as salaries, pensions, interest payments, and welfare schemes; and devise a fiscally responsible roadmap to reduce reliance on borrowings for infrastructure projects and budget deficits.

The Kelkar Committee comprises Prof Karthik Muralidharan (founder-director, CEGIS), Dr Nitin Kareer (former Chief Secretary, Maharashtra), T Rabi Sankar (former Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India) and Dr Ashima Goyal (President, The Indian Econometric Society).

The formation of the panel comes at a critical juncture for Maharashtra. While the state actively pursues an investment-led growth strategy across core sectors—including infrastructure, human resource development, water security, urban management, and energy transition—it faces growing fiscal constraints.

Maharashtra government’s Vision document has suggested restructuring the government expenditure policy to align with long-term capital formation, identifying alternative financing models and private capital inflows.

Fiscal deficit targets are capped within standard Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) boundaries, targeting 2.8 per cent to 3.0 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) while keeping the revenue deficit under 0.7 per cent of GSDP, and implementation is tracked quarterly via a dedicated Vision Management Unit chaired by the chief minister.

Adhering to the targets set under the FRBM Act has proved challenging due to rising welfare commitments and debt servicing costs. Consequently, the government has frequently resorted to market borrowings to fund capital projects and offset short-term liquidity shortfalls.

The newly appointed Kelkar Committee is expected to deliver structural fiscal remedies to reverse this trend and secure long-term financial sustainability for the state.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra), Sep 17: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday reiterated the state government’s resolve to permanently eradicate drought in the Marathwada region, announcing plans to divert 70 TMC of water from the Ulhas basin to the Godavari basin in phases over the next seven years.

He also assured that the government will take necessary measures to provide assistance to the farmers amid scanty rainfall in the Marathwada region.

Addressing a gathering on the occasion of Marathwada Mukti Sangram Day after the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Martyr’s Memorial, Fadnavis said, “Work is underway to divert 70 TMC of water from the Ulhas basin into the Godavari basin. While this generation has endured severe drought, we will ensure the next generation does not. We aim to transfer this water to the Godavari basin in phases over the next seven years.”

The chief minister reiterated the government’s initiatives regarding debt relief, water supply, and river-linking projects.

“About 30 TMC of additional water from the Krishna basin is being diverted to Marathwada following World Bank approval, with tenders currently being issued. Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for river-linking projects to lift water from the Konkan region to the deficit Godavari basin are in the final stages, utilising unique engineering designs,” Fadnavis said.

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar water supply project is in its final stages, which will soon ensure daily drinking water for the city, he said, adding that major investments are coming into Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, supported by upgrading infrastructure and the ongoing work on the Jalna Dry Port.

“Farmers are benefiting from the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Holkar Debt Waiver Scheme, with remaining beneficiary lists to be released soon,” Fadnavis said.

Addressing the drought situation in Marathwada, the CM reassured the farming community that the government will extend relief and take due measures to tackle the situation.

“Marathwada faces constant struggle, particularly against recurring droughts. This year has again brought drought conditions. Although initial expectations for crops were positive, a long spell without rain severely damaged agricultural yield. I assure farmers that our government will not abandon you under any circumstances. We stand firmly behind you and will provide all necessary assistance,” he said.

He announced that crop damage assessments (panchanamas) will begin after October 5.

“While NDRF assistance will follow, the state government will ensure its aid reaches farmers beforehand. To prepare for potential drinking water and fodder shortages, fodder cultivation was initiated earlier under the Fodder Development Programme,” he stated.

The chief minister announced the cancellation of Rs 48,000 crore in outstanding agricultural electricity bills.

“We previously decided to provide free electricity to farmers, and now the state government has decided to waive their past dues of Rs 48,000 crore so they face no further hardship,” Fadnavis said.

The chief minister briefly recounted the history of the freedom struggle.

“Even after India’s Independence, Marathwada continued its struggle for freedom. Marathwada achieved liberation 13 months later, on September 17, 1948, when the Indian tricolor was finally unfurled. I salute all the freedom fighters who made the ultimate sacrifice, endured atrocities in prison, or protested through satyagraha. I pay my respectful homage to those who are no longer with us. Marathwada was liberated due to their sacrifices. Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel mounted a massive effort, applying pressure from all four sides to free the region,” he said.

“Today, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Vande Mataram. However, during that era, ‘Vande Mataram’ was strictly banned. Speaking or teaching Marathi was prohibited, and atrocities reached extreme levels where people could not celebrate festivals. Freedom fighters pulled Marathwada out of these conditions,” the CM added.

Speaking at a parallel event in Beed, Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar highlighted the historical weight of the movement.

“Marathwada Liberation was the second freedom struggle for the rest of the country. Beed district served as the epicentre of this struggle. Swami Ramanand Teerth led the movement capably. For me, this history is personal, as my father, Bajirao Patil, actively participated in the liberation struggle,” she said.

Sunetra Pawar also extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Sambhajinagar, Sep 17: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday expressed relief and satisfaction after Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange Patil ended his hunger strike on its 20th day.

Addressing media, he welcomed the development, noting that the government had proactively engaged with the activist to resolve the standoff peacefully.

“We are glad that Manoj Jarange Patil has called off his hunger strike. We had urged him to do so. Out of his 13 demands, 12 have been accepted by the government. One demand could not be fulfilled due to legal constraints, which was duly communicated to him,” he stated.

The Chief Minister assured that the commitments made by the cabinet sub-committee would be strictly fulfilled. The state government will hold necessary meetings and take required administrative steps to implement these promises.

Reaffirming the state’s commitment to Maratha community, Fadnavis emphasized that “our doors remain open” and claimed that no previous administration has taken as many concrete decisions for the welfare of the Maratha community as the current government.

Extending appreciation to key leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and legislator Prasad Lad for their mediation, CM Fadnavis highlighted that the agitation concluded peacefully without disturbing upcoming festive celebrations.

Earlier, Jarange Patil on Thursday at Patoda in Beed district announced the suspension of his 20-day hunger strike following his discussion with a government delegation comprising Ministers Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil and Dadaji Bhuse, MLAs Prasad Lad and Suresh Dhas, and the Beed District Collector. Following the talks, Jarange Patil granted the government a 90-day deadline, demanding the implementation of the Satara Gazette within three months. He warned that if the government betrays them, he will march to Mumbai.

Announcing the suspension of his hunger strike, he clarified that the agitation would continue, asserting that the battle would not stop until it succeeded. Giving a three-month ultimatum for the Satara Gazette implementation, he stated that antagonising the Maratha community is unacceptable.

He remarked that despite any mistakes by Minister Vikhe Patil, people should treat him with affection, and expressed similar sentiments toward DCM Eknath Shinde. He added that he would not stay silent if ministers criticised them and noted that officials who previously avoided talks had finally come to negotiate, emphasising that the community’s dignity is more important than reservations.

The government delegation gave him assurances including implementation of the Satara, Kolhapur, Pune, and Aundh Gazettes within three months by issuing a Government Resolution (GR), issuance of a revised GR to grant Kunbi certificates in accordance with the Hyderabad Gazette, continued validation of certificates issued per the Hyderabad Gazette, no reduction in the 58 lakh Kunbi records found by the Shinde Committee and validation of the revoked Kunbi certificates of four elected representatives from Marathwada.