MUMBAI (Maharashtra, India): The Government of Maharashtra has proposed an allocation of Rs 21,000 crore in the 2026–27 budget for the welfare and development of tribal communities in the state.
Presenting the state budget for 2026-27 in the state legislature last week, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that Rs 21,723 crore had been proposed under the Tribal Sub-Plan.
He said that several schemes are being implemented to empower tribal communities, including the Rani Durgavati Women Empowerment Scheme, Shabari Tribal Finance and Development Corporation, Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Amrit Aahar Scheme, Namo Tribal Smart School Campaign, Adarsh Ashram School, Bhagwan Birsa Munda Road Connectivity Scheme, Thakkar Bappa Tribal Development Scheme, and Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Scheme.
In addition, under the Birsa Munda Agricultural Scheme, tribal farmers in villages located near forests were being provided financial assistance for bore-wells and solar pumps, he said. Special packages would be provided for particularly vulnerable tribal groups such as the Katkari, Kolam and Madia communities, he said. A special development package would also be introduced for the Pardhi community, he said, adding that these initiatives aim to expand basic infrastructure in tribal areas and accelerate the socio-economic development of tribal communities.
Through several government institutions, many large-scale development programs for tribal communities were currently being implemented. Significant funding will be allocated to these schemes in the 2026-27 financial year, he added.
The Finance portfolio in Maharashtra is currently being held by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis himself. He took charge of the portfolio after the tragic death of the then Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in a plane accident in January 2026. A few days after Ajit Pawar’s death, his widow Sunetra Pawar was appointed Finance Minister, but she did not present the budget as she did not get sufficient time to study the proposals included in the budget, and hence Fadnavis presented the budget.
Click here to follow our WhatsApp channel and get instant updates
