Mumbai, Aug 2026 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed all departments to prioritise the effective and timely utilisation of funds made available for implementing Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the state.
He instructed heads of departments to ensure that the utilisation of central funds exceeds 95 per cent this year, stressing that every effort should be made to make full and efficient use of the resources available.
Fadnavis was speaking at a review meeting held at Sahyadri Guest House to assess the availability and utilisation of funds under Central schemes. Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal, Resident Commissioner (Investment), Maharashtra Sadan, Sushil Gaikwad, and Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries of the concerned departments were present.
Priority to Utilisation of Central Funds
Fadnavis said departments should plan in a manner that combines funds available under the state’s various schemes with Central assistance to maximise the impact of development programmes.
He said the state has the capacity to utilise around Rs 16,000-17,000 crore of Central funds next year, a significant portion of which would be allocated towards capital expenditure. Department heads should therefore accord the highest priority to spending these funds within the prescribed timelines.
He directed departments to take clear responsibility for ensuring that Central funds are utilised for the wider and timely implementation of schemes.
The Chief Minister also called for a department-wise assessment of the funds available under Central sector schemes, the amount already spent and the balance remaining. If accounting-related issues are delaying utilisation, such obstacles should be resolved immediately, he said.
Departments Must Work With a Sense of Urgency
Fadnavis said departments must immediately implement any new accounting systems or technological changes introduced by the Central government for a particular scheme.
He stressed that officials should not wait for a cut-off date and must work with a “sense of urgency”. If action is not completed within the stipulated timeframe, strict decisions may have to be taken regarding the concerned funds, he warned.
He further directed departments to examine their fund-utilisation performance over the past two to three years and identify and rectify shortcomings.
Where funds have already been spent but the expenditure has not been reflected in the accounts, departments should identify the reasons. Where funds remain unspent, officials should prepare a clear plan to ensure their timely utilisation.
Chief Secretary to Conduct Quarterly Reviews
The Chief Minister called for an effective monitoring mechanism at the Chief Secretary’s level to regularly review utilisation of Central funds.
He suggested that the utilisation of funds should be reviewed every three months and appropriate performance indicators should be established.
Fadnavis said the principal objective of the review exercise was to ensure maximum and effective utilisation of Central funds and accelerate development works across Maharashtra.
Resident Commissioner Sushil Gaikwad presented a detailed department-wise report on the utilisation of Central funds. Additional Chief Secretary of the Finance Department Vikas Chandra Rastogi also presented details of the performance of various departments in utilising Central funds over the past three to four years. Both presentations were reviewed in detail during the meeting.
School Education Department Leads in Fund Utilisation
Various departments of Maharashtra recorded notable performance in utilising funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) during 2025-26.
The School Education and Sports Department led the performance with 96 per cent utilisation of the allocated funds. Its utilisation against the budget provision stood at 99.9 per cent.
The Cooperation and Marketing and Textiles Department recorded 99 per cent utilisation, while the Home Department also achieved 99 per cent. The Soil and Water Conservation Department utilised 98 per cent of its funds.
The Agriculture and allied departments recorded 94 per cent utilisation, while the Rural Development Department utilised 86 per cent of the funds.
The Rural Development Department had a budgetary provision of Rs 10,283 crore, of which Rs 9,874 crore was released and Rs 8,537 crore was spent.
The Women and Child Development Department also performed effectively, utilising 83 per cent of the funds released.
The Planning Department recorded 111 per cent fund utilisation, while the MGNREGA scheme achieved 100 per cent utilisation compared with the funds released.
The Public Health Department utilised 75 per cent of the released funds, while its utilisation against the budget provision stood at 101 per cent. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission recorded fund utilisation of 111 per cent.
Among major schemes, the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission utilised 82 per cent of the funds released, while the National Rural Health Mission recorded 71 per cent utilisation. MGNREGA again achieved 100 per cent utilisation, highlighting the importance of timely implementation and financial monitoring.
