Maharashtra Demands ₹4,900 Crore More in Central Education Funds

The Maharashtra school education department in Mumbai has raised official concerns regarding the central government's budget allocation under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, citing a financial gap of over ₹4,900 crore.

While Maharashtra accounts for 8.61% of India's total student population, the state receives only 3.06% of the national scheme's budget. For the 2025-26 period, the total Samagra Shiksha budget is ₹87,367 crore, but Maharashtra was allocated ₹2,673 crore. State officials pointed out that the state maintains over 100,000 schools, more than 75,00,000 teachers, and over 21 million students. Based on system size, an equitable 8.61% share would amount to approximately ₹7,522 crore.

Education Minister Dada Bhuse has requested the central government to substantially increase the state's funding share. Department officials noted that more than 90% of the state's internal education budget is spent on salaries and pensions, leaving very little money to build and upgrade educational infrastructure. Greater financial support from the Centre would directly assist in improving state education facilities.

In an accompanying letter sent to the Centre, the state also requested a revision in funding for the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme. About 1,64,558 cooks and helpers work under the initiative for a monthly honorarium of ₹2,500. Currently, the Centre contributes ₹600 while Maharashtra pays ₹1,900. The state has urged the central government to take on the larger share and increase its contribution to ₹2,000 per worker.