Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday delivered a powerful address in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, asserting that Maharashtra's development is unstoppable and the state is leading the country in multiple sectors. He emphasized that Maharashtra is firmly committed to the path of progress outlined by the Constitution and assured that the state's journey towards a brighter future will not be halted.

"Maharashtra is ranked first in various welfare schemes and will continue to lead in the future. There is no need for anyone to worry about the state's future," Shinde declared while responding to discussions under Rule 259.

He highlighted Maharashtra’s dominance across key sectors, stating, "Maharashtra is currently the leader in GDP, exports, industrial production, GST collection, and startup ecosystems. The state has attracted the highest foreign direct investment (FDI) and has also achieved the top rank in cleanliness."

Shinde also unveiled Maharashtra’s unprecedented infrastructure boom, revealing that ₹10 lakh crore worth of development projects are underway, further strengthening the state's status as an economic powerhouse.

On the agriculture front, Shinde spoke about ongoing initiatives for farmers, mentioning recent meetings on crop insurance and e-crop monitoring. The government is developing an app and website for a single-window interface for farmers, making it easier for them to access government schemes and services.

In a major boost to Maharashtra’s agriculture sector, Bill Gates met the Chief Minister recently and expressed keen interest in investing in AI-based agricultural innovations. "Bill Gates has offered support to use AI technology to double or even quadruple agricultural yields in Maharashtra," Shinde revealed.

Discussing digital governance, Shinde reiterated that Maharashtra is pushing for top national rankings in digital services through the Right to Service initiative. The government is also focusing on expanding connectivity through metro networks, pod taxis, roads, railways, and water transport, which will revolutionize urban mobility.

Tourism development remains a key priority, with Maharashtra unveiling comprehensive plans for agritourism, adventure tourism, caravan tourism, and beach shacks. A major tourism festival will be held in Mahabaleshwar this May, along with wellness centers at historic forts to boost tourism.

Infrastructure expansion is at an all-time high, with Maharashtra actively reviewing 19 ambitious projects, including metro expansions, highways, airports, ports, irrigation, and water supply systems. Special emphasis is being placed on the Van Ganga-Nal Ganga River Linking Project, which is expected to transform irrigation in Vidarbha and Marathwada.

Proudly stating that Maharashtra’s GDP is the highest in India, Shinde also highlighted the state’s strong financial health, pointing out that Maharashtra’s borrowing ratio stands at just 18%—the lowest in India.

On law and order, he assured the government’s "zero tolerance" policy against crimes against women, reaffirming Maharashtra’s commitment to safety and security. "We will continue to take strong measures to protect women and ensure they can move freely and fearlessly in society," he stated.

Speaking on agricultural procurement, Shinde reported smooth progress in cotton and soybean purchases, revealing that Maharashtra has successfully procured 18.3 million metric tons of high-quality cotton across 124 procurement centers. He also mentioned that the state has requested an extension from the central government for soybean procurement due to increased farmer registrations.

Shinde ended his speech with a powerful call for unity, saying, "Maharashtra’s progress is unstoppable. Let’s welcome this new dawn of development with open arms and work together for the state’s bright future!"