Stamp duty hike likely to fund irrigation projects
The state government is contemplating hiking stamp duty to generate revenue to complete irrigation projects across Maharashtra which is reeling under severe water and agriculture crises. What has compounded the problems for the state is the long dry spell because of delayed monsoon which led to a loss of kharif crop last month. Deputy chief minister RR Patil said, "We will require Rs44,000 crore to complete all irrigation projects in the state.'