Maharashtra Cabinet gave approval to the Rs 24,702.92 crore Jalna-Nanded expressway which will be connecting to the Mumbai-Nagpur Samruddhi expressway.

The Cabinet's nod came at a time when the state Finance Department had cautioned the government to ensure that the fiscal deficit does not cross 3 per cent of gross state domestic product (GSDP).

In the wake of a slew of welfare and development schemes and the supplementary demands of Rs 1 lakh crore, the fiscal deficit has already crossed Rs 2 lakh crore though it is well within the 3 per cent limit of GSDP, the Finance Department is of the view that the government should take adequate steps.

The Finance Department in its remarks said: 'The debt-equity ratio has been fixed as 52.81:47.19 and as per the state fiscal policy, the deficit to GSDP has been fixed at 2.59 per cent.

The state will have to raise loans for various social and welfare schemes announced. In addition, more loans will have to be availed to complete various infrastructure projects undertaken by different administrative departments.'