'Maha budget focuses on infra development'

The Maharashtra budget puts stress on infrastructure development, without adding to the tax burden, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said reacting to the budget for financial year 2007-08, presented on Friday.

"The budget, with its focus on infrastructure facilities such as water, roads, irrigation, education and power, would help the state remain at the top position in the country," a release quoting Deshmukh's reaction said.

Deshmukh further said that due to effective fiscal management, there would be a surplus of Rs 510.68 crore.

Earmarking of Rs 1,400 crore for backward areas would help clear the backlog of development there, Deshmukh said.

Ending the power scarcity is the top priority for the state, the Chief Minister said, adding that Rs 692 crore allocated for new power generation projects would be of help in this regard.

Provision of Rs 2,060 crores for SCs and Neo-Buddhists and that of Rs 1,798 crore for the tribal areas would encourage the development of these sections, the CM hoped.

Rs 400 crore that would be spent on 61 projects under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission would speed up various civic schemes, the Chief Minister said.