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Maharashtra to Establish State CSR Cell for Better Utilisation of CSR Funds

By TheCSRUniverse Team Published 25 Jun 2026

Mumbai, June 25, 2026: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the state administration to establish a dedicated ‘State CSR Cell’ aimed at ensuring the effective mobilisation and utilisation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for local self-government institutions across the state.

The directive was issued during a presentation meeting on the recommendations of the Sixth State Finance Commission. Highlighting Maharashtra’s position as the largest recipient of CSR funding in India, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for a structured mechanism to channel these resources towards local development priorities and strengthen grassroots governance.

According to the Chief Minister, the proposed State CSR Cell will help coordinate and facilitate the deployment of CSR funds in a more targeted and transparent manner, enabling local bodies to access additional resources for developmental initiatives.

During the meeting, Fadnavis also suggested exploring an interest-free loan scheme for local self-government institutions, modelled on the Central Government’s interest-free loan programme for states. He directed officials to assess the feasibility of providing such financial assistance to support infrastructure and development projects undertaken by local bodies.

In addition, the Chief Minister called for the development of a specific mechanism to enable local self-government institutions to grant building permissions for constructions situated adjacent to, but outside, their designated ‘gaothan’ limits. He stressed the need for safeguards to prevent misuse of such powers and recommended the creation of a digital platform to regulate and monitor the process.

Fadnavis further instructed authorities to establish a system to curb illegal constructions in semi-urban areas outside gram panchayat ‘gaothan’ boundaries. He also directed that properties within the jurisdiction of local self-government institutions be mapped through a cadastral mapping programme and suggested expanding the SVAMITVA Scheme to cover properties located beyond existing ‘gaothan’ limits.

The meeting also reviewed the 42 recommendations submitted by the Sixth State Finance Commission. These recommendations have been grouped into six broad areas, including institutional reforms, strengthening local revenue generation, tax assessment and regulation, distribution and transfer of state funds to local bodies, and enhancing the effectiveness of the State Finance Commission.

The presentation was made by Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary (Financial Reforms) Vikas Chandra Rastogi, followed by discussions on measures to improve the financial and administrative capacity of local self-government institutions across the state.