The Maharashtra government is set to establish a dedicated State CSR Cell to improve the management and utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds across the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the administration to create the new mechanism with the objective of ensuring that CSR resources are used more effectively for the benefit of local self-government institutions and grassroots development initiatives.

The announcement was made during a review meeting on the recommendations of the Sixth State Finance Commission. Addressing senior officials, the Chief Minister highlighted that Maharashtra receives the highest volume of CSR funding in the country. Given the significant amount of corporate contributions flowing into the state, he stressed the need for a structured system that can channel these resources towards priority development projects and strengthen local governance.

According to the proposed plan, the State CSR Cell will function as a coordinating body to identify opportunities for collaboration between corporations and local government institutions. It will help mobilise resources and ensure that CSR investments are aligned with developmental needs in urban and rural areas. The initiative is expected to improve transparency, accountability, and the overall impact of CSR spending.

During the meeting, Fadnavis also called for exploring innovative financial mechanisms to support local bodies. He suggested examining the feasibility of introducing an interest-free loan programme for local self-government institutions, drawing inspiration from similar schemes implemented by the Central Government. Such a programme could provide local authorities with additional financial support for infrastructure creation and public welfare projects.

Another important issue discussed was the need for a regulatory framework governing construction activities outside traditional village settlement boundaries, commonly known as gaothan limits. The Chief Minister directed officials to prepare a suitable policy that would enable local bodies to grant building permissions in adjoining areas while incorporating safeguards to prevent misuse. He also recommended the development of a digital platform to streamline approvals and improve monitoring.

To address concerns related to unauthorised development, Fadnavis instructed the administration to establish stronger mechanisms to curb illegal constructions, particularly in rapidly urbanising regions. He emphasised the importance of planned growth and better governance to ensure sustainable development across the state.

The Chief Minister further directed officials to expand property mapping efforts under cadastral survey initiatives and explore the extension of the SVAMITVA scheme to properties located outside gaothan areas. These measures are expected to improve land records, enhance property management, and support more efficient local administration.

The meeting reviewed all 42 recommendations submitted by the Sixth State Finance Commission, covering areas such as institutional reforms, revenue generation, tax administration, fund distribution, and strengthening local governance structures. Through the proposed State CSR Cell and other reforms, the Maharashtra government aims to maximise the developmental impact of available resources and ensure that corporate contributions play a greater role in improving public infrastructure and community welfare across the state.