While making allocations for transport infrastructure, the BJP-led Maharashtra government in its budget for 2017-18 has proposed to set up a Maharashtra School of Drama in Goregaon’s Film City, and upgrade Mumbai University’s economics department to a full-fledged institution.

State finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced the state government’s intention to support Mumbai University’s effort to scale up its economics department into a ‘Mumbai School of Economics and Public Policy’ as the university celebrates its 160th year of existence.

“The economics department of Mumbai University is one of the oldest in India…a sum of Rs25 crore will be provided to Mumbai University in the next five years for this educational initiative,” Mungantiwar said, while presenting the state budget for 2017-18.

The state government has also proposed examining the feasibility of setting up a ‘Maharashtra School of Drama’ in Goregaon’s Film City on the lines of the National School of Drama.

Besides, the state government’s plans for Mumbai in its budget for the next fiscal include the extension of Mumbai’s surveillance camera network to its satellite cities of Kalyan and Dombivli, and installing forensic labs in Thane other than Ratnagiri, Solapur, Dhule and Chandrapur.