Budget 2016-17 is dedicated to our farmers, the State Government of Maharashtra has decided to observe the financial year 2016-17 as “Shetkari Swabhiman Varsh” and significantly higher provision of nearly Rs. 25 thousand crores is made for various schemes in Agriculture sector.

• Drought Relief :

• Emphasis on dry land farming, accelerated development of infrastructure, removal of disparity, development of urban areas and generation of employment opportunities for youth.

• In 2016-17, a substantial provision of Rs. 1 thousand 855 crore for Crop Insurance Scheme.

• A substantially higher provision of Rs. 2000 crore for farm ponds, wells and electric pump installation, form this fund 1,00,000 farm ponds 37,500 wells and 90,000 electric pumps will be made available.

• Planning for renovation of 6862 ex-Malgujari tanks in the Naxal affected districts of northern Vidarbha.

• New scheme named as “Palak Mantri Pandhan Rasta Yojana” & “Palak Mantri Earth Moving Machine Kharadi Yojana” launched. Repair works of Pandhan Rasta will be allotted to rural youth.

• Agriculture :

• An outlay of Rs 110 crore to make available crop loan with concessional rate of interest to farmers.

• To boost the production of oil seeds and pulses crop, under National Agriculture Development Scheme an outlay of Rs. 80 crore.

• New scheme launched to provides subsidy up to 25% or max 50 lakhs to set up agriculture processing units.

• An outlay of Rs. 60 crore for the new scheme called “Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Krishi Margdarshan Yojana.” For promoting agriculture and research new government agriculture at Buldhana & Ahmednagar, new government horticulture college at Jalgaon.

• An outlay of Rs. 10 crore for two new veterinary colleges at Jalgaon and Akola.

• Decision to implement new scheme called “Krishi Gurukul Yojana” for advanced agriculture training of farmers through role model farmers.

• An agriculture festival to be organised every district to create awareness among farmers.

• For promotion of organic farming, Organic Farming Research & Training Centres in 4 agriculture universities proposed.

• Automated weather centres at 2065 revenue blocks proposed for accurate weather forecasting.

• Animal Husbandry :

• Setting up dairy development projects under Integrated Agriculture Development Programme, Rs. 100 crore projects involving manufacturing company of farmers to be set up in Vidarbha & Marathwada.

• Provision of Rs. 51.13 crore to set up Intensive Poultry Development Unit in 14 districts.

• For raring of cattle, modernisation of “Valu Mata Sangopan Kendra”.

• New scheme called “Govardhan Gowansh Raksha Kendra” launched to implement the programme of raring non lactating and unproductive cattle breed in 34 rural districts with NGO participation.

• An outlay of Rs. 30 crore for Jetty’s construction at various places in 5 costal districts, an outlay of 15 crore for renovation of Sasoon dock.

• Irrigation:

• Provision of Rs. 7850 crore for irrigation projects.

• Substantial outlay of Rs. 2078 crore for various 7 Irrigation projects included in “Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana”.

• Water literacy and water awareness creation in society, permanent water centre at Yashada Pune & sub centre at Aurangabad Amravati, Chandrapur.

• Rural Development :

• An outlay of Rs. 500 crore for up gradation of roads and new road connectivity under “Chief Minister Rural Road Scheme”.

• To promote sustainable development of our villages “Smart Village Scheme” proposed to provide incentive for development.

• For displaying digital board in all Gram Panchayat create awareness about Government policies.

Taxation

• Exemption from Levy of Sugarcane Purchase Tax for the year 2015-16 to the Sugar Factories which export sugar as per Government policy.

• Amnesty scheme for Profession Tax enrollment holder. Tax liability and penalty will be restricted to previous three years.

• Amnesty for tax administered by Sales Tax. For dues upto 31^st March, 2005 subject to full tax payment, the interest and penalty shall be waived and for disputed dues from 1^st April, 2005 to 31^st March, 2012 subject to full tax payment, and 25% interest payment under VAT Act, balance dues will be waived.

• Exemption of VAT on Warping and Sizing of Yarn for promoting the Textile Industry.

• Turnover limit for composition to retailers under the MVAT Act increased from Rs.50 Lakh to Rs. 1 Crore.

• VAT on the Mammography machines used for detection of breast cancers exempted.

• VAT on sterile water for injections reduced from 12.5% to 5.5%.

• Bakery Industry, the turnover of tax free goods is excluded for computing the turnover for composition.

• VAT on Retrofit kit fitted to vehicles for physically handicapped exempted.

• VAT on LED Tubes reduced from 12.5% to 5.5%.

• VAT on Pyrolysis Oil reduced from 12.5% to 5.5%.

• Profession Tax exemption to the armed personnel of CRPF and BSF.

• Exemption from late fee to the Government aided educational institution for e-filing of Professional Tax returns.

• VAT on Steel Wire Mesh, Barbed Wire and Chain links reduced from 12.5% to 5.5%.

• VAT on Pencil Box, Stapler pins, Dusters, Gum and Gum-sticks used by student reduced from 12.5% to 5.5%.

• VAT exempted on the Bamboo Products excluding Bamboo furniture.

• Amnesty scheme under Industrial Policy 2013 for closed and un-revivable units to be implemented afresh.

• Logistic Hubs will be established to promote the Logistic Industry and Levy of CST will be exempted on the interstate sales effected from the Logistic Hubs.

• VAT rate increased from 5% to 5.5%, excluding declared goods.

• Motor Vehicle Tax enhanced on two wheelers and three wheelers owned by individual. Tax to be based on engine capacity – upto 99cc – 8%, 100cc to 299cc – 9%, 300cc and above – 10%. Institutional and Imported Vehicles to be subjected to double the rate of tax.

• The VAT composition tax rate 8% to hotels and restaurants having turnover of sales Rs. 3 Crore and more.

• Levy of Entry Tax on Marble and Granite slabs.

• Increase in Lottery Tax on the draws of Lotteries.

• VAT tax on Coconut hair oil sold in pack upto 500 ml enhanced to 12.5%.

• Establishment of Advance Ruling Authority for speedy disposal of disputed questions under Sales Tax Laws.

• Implementations of SAP based Computer system in Sales Tax Department. Input Tax Ledger to be made available to the tax payer.

• Pilot Project will be started by Sales Tax Department for implementation of Digital Billing system.