Maharashtra needs finance fillip from Centre, says deputy CM Ajit Pawar

PUNE: Deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar has sought more funds from the Centre to boost the state’s economic revival.
Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said on Friday that the Centre had in April released Rs1,611 crore disaster management funds for the state, but it had proved insufficient.
“For the cycle of economy to get a push in the state, we need a substantial package from the Centre. Like other states, we too have put forth our demand,” he told TOI.
The demanded funds are in addition to the state’s pending share of GST.
Further, Pawar said the state will also seek loans as per the central government guidelines and added that a majority of funds received are spent on salaries and pensions. “We have to allocate Rs12,000 crore for salaries and pension. Funds are needed for departments such as health, medical education, public distribution system, home and disaster management, so there is bound to be a shortfall,” he said.
“Earlier, we had sought 50,000 crore. But in the current situation, we are not citing any figure. The centre ought to give us a large share,” he added.
Pawar further said migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh need to return to jump-start industrial activity in the state. “While job opportunities should go to people from the state, there are certain jobs that were carried out efficiently by these workers,” he said.
By the end of the month, he said the state would discuss further relaxation of restrictions with the Centre.
“I personally want relaxation in all sectors, so that work can commence slowly and steadily. So, if now a 10% workforce is allowed, we should increase it further by following due diligence of social distancing,” he said, adding that the society must now learn to live with the disease.