CM Devendra Fadnavis Calls for Creation of State CSR Cell to Channel Funds for Local Bodies

Presentation Meeting on the Sixth State Finance Commission

Mumbai, June 2026 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday directed officials to establish a State CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Cell to ensure the effective utilization of CSR funds and to help local self-government institutions access available resources for development projects.

The directive was issued during a presentation meeting on the recommendations of the Sixth State Finance Commission, held at the Chief Minister’s official residence, Varsha.

Minister of State for Finance and Planning, Adv. Ashish Jaiswal, was also present at the meeting.

Addressing officials, Chief Minister Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra receives the highest amount of CSR funding in the country. He emphasized the need to create a dedicated State CSR Cell that would facilitate better planning and deployment of these funds, particularly for local self-government institutions.

The Chief Minister further suggested that the state formulate an interest-free loan scheme for local bodies, modeled on the Central Government’s interest-free loan programme. He directed officials to examine the feasibility of providing such loans to local self-government institutions for undertaking development works.

Fadnavis also called for a structured mechanism that would allow local bodies to grant construction permissions for developments located adjacent to village settlement areas (gavthan) but outside their official boundaries. He stressed that adequate safeguards must be incorporated to prevent misuse of such powers by local authorities.

To ensure transparency and accountability, he recommended the development of a digital platform through which permissions and related processes could be managed efficiently.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the need for stronger monitoring of unauthorized constructions in semi-urban areas, particularly those located outside the officially designated village settlement limits under gram panchayat jurisdictions.

In another key recommendation, Fadnavis instructed officials to undertake comprehensive mapping of properties within local body jurisdictions through digital mapping plans. He also suggested expanding the scope of the SVAMITVA Scheme to cover properties situated outside village settlement limits, thereby providing greater clarity in property ownership and land records.

During the meeting, officials held extensive discussions on the 42 recommendations submitted by the Sixth State Finance Commission. These recommendations have been grouped into six broad categories:

• Institutional reforms
• Creation of independent revenue sources
• Tax assessment and regulatory mechanisms
• Distribution of state funds
• Transfer of funds to local self-government institutions
• Strengthening the State Finance Commission

Senior officials present at the meeting included Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) O.P. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Vikas Kharge, Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) Sanjay Sethi, Additional Chief Secretary (Relief and Rehabilitation) Vinita Ved Singhal, and Secretary (Planning) Shaila A., among others.

The presentation on the Finance Commission’s recommendations was made by Vikas Chandra Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary (Financial Reforms).

The discussions focused on strengthening local governance, improving financial sustainability of local bodies, and ensuring more efficient delivery of public services through institutional and fiscal reforms across Maharashtra.