‘A New Chapter of Progress in Maharashtra Through CSR Funds’ – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Tech Maha Impact Conference Organised

Mumbai, May 2026 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that nearly Rs 36,000 crore is spent annually across the country through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds, and Maharashtra ranks first in utilising these funds. He stated that by effectively using CSR resources, the impact of government schemes can be multiplied many times over, ensuring that development reaches the last person in society and helping Maharashtra script a new chapter of progress.

Fadnavis was speaking at the Tech Maha Impact Conference organised by the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence at Hotel President. Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Minister for Electronics, Information Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar, Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Shrikar Pardeshi, IT Department Secretary Parimal Singh, MahaIT Commissioner Bhuvneshwari S., ELICIT Institute’s Ravi Gupta, and Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation COO Bhagwan Patil were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said Maharashtra receives the highest CSR funding in the country, though a major share is currently spent in the Mumbai and Pune metropolitan regions. The government, he said, is making continuous efforts to ensure that CSR funds are utilised effectively across the entire state rather than being confined to select urban areas.

Under the “Village Social Transformation Initiative”, the state government, with the support of CSR partners, has transformed 1,000 villages into models based on Sustainable Development Goals. This experience, he noted, demonstrates that when the scale and reach of government machinery combine with the flexibility, technology and resources of the corporate sector, a “multiplier effect” can be achieved in the social sector.

Highlighting the flexibility offered by CSR partners, Fadnavis said that government schemes can be modified more effectively to address the needs of the last person in society. He added that tech companies are not merely providing funds but are also introducing new technologies, making the use of CSR funds more transparent and measurable. Companies want to directly witness the impact of their contributions, he said, assuring that every rupee of CSR funding used in partnership with the government would go directly towards public welfare and not be wasted on unnecessary administrative systems or infrastructure.

Expressing gratitude to CSR partners working in fields such as education, healthcare, agriculture and employment, the Chief Minister said that collaboration with the Maharashtra government would prove smooth and enriching, adding that the conference has initiated a new chapter in social transformation.

Maharashtra to Become More Prosperous Through CSR Funds – Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar

Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar said Maharashtra is the financial engine of the country and that the state government remains committed to inclusive and progressive development. She expressed confidence that better coordination between technology, innovation and CSR funding would make Maharashtra more prosperous.

She said the Tech Maha Impact Conference reflects a strong resolve to make the state more inclusive, prosperous and future-ready. “Empowering communities through technology, innovation and CSR funding is the core principle of our state’s development today. Unless the government, technology sector and corporate world work hand-in-hand, the benefits of progress cannot reach the last person in society,” she said.

Pawar added that ensuring the benefits of development reach women, youth, rural communities and underprivileged sections remains the government’s top priority. Any technological system, she said, can be considered successful only when it makes the life of the common citizen easier. The true focus of initiatives such as Smart Cities and Digital India must always remain the ordinary citizen.

She further noted that Maharashtra receives the highest CSR spending in the country and that better coordination between CSR funding and government schemes could significantly improve service delivery at the grassroots level. Stressing the importance of skill development, she said degrees alone are no longer enough and must be complemented with practical skills. Empowering rural students and women with technology, she added, can transform the state’s development landscape. She also shared information about AI-based innovations being implemented in agriculture in Baramati.

Positive Change in Common People’s Lives Through CSR Funds – IT Minister Ashish Shelar

Information Technology Minister Ashish Shelar said that when technology is used with a strong social purpose, its direct benefits reach the last person in society. He stated that technology should not be limited to business or administrative convenience but should also be used through CSR initiatives to bring positive change in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Shelar remarked that IT and electronics department programmes are generally focused on technical discussions and conferences, but the present event was unique because it linked technology with social awareness and public welfare. Praising Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, he described him as one of the country’s most technologically aware leaders who often stays a step ahead even of administrative and technical experts.

He informed that Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) had been signed with 24 leading companies and institutions for various development initiatives and public welfare projects across the state. Through these agreements, Maharashtra is expected to receive contributions worth around Rs 155.75 crore from the technology sector. He assured that the funds would be utilised transparently and strictly for the intended purposes.

Maharashtra Ready for a New AI Revolution – Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal

Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said Maharashtra has maintained its leading position in growth rate, GST collection, foreign direct investment, infrastructure and green energy. He noted that infrastructure and road connectivity are rapidly expanding not only in Mumbai but also in regions such as Gadchiroli, Chandrapur and Marathwada.

He stated that Maharashtra already possesses the energy capacity and skill centres required for the upcoming Artificial Intelligence revolution and is fully prepared for a new wave of transformation driven by AI technology.

Agrawal said AI would not only simplify government services and make them more citizen-centric but would also benefit industries of all scales across the state. He pointed out that the programme placed special emphasis on the impact of CSR funding alongside technology. Often, technical hurdles in government procedures slow down projects, and in such cases CSR emerges as a faster and more flexible alternative.

Since many major companies are headquartered in Maharashtra, the state has access to substantial CSR funding, he said. To ensure that these funds directly reach those in need, a dedicated CSR portal has been launched. The portal will effectively connect both the “demand” and “supply” sides of CSR initiatives.

He expressed confidence that this new MahaIT initiative would become more impactful in the coming weeks and help elevate Maharashtra to new heights in technology and social development.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation COO Bhagwan Patil.