Mumbai: The state govt will set up a MahaCSR Authority with the CM as chairperson for more effective, transparent and coordinated use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds in the state.At a meeting held at the Sahyadri state guest house on Friday Fadnavis said various initiatives in the field of CSR are currently being implemented at different levels and separately. Hence an authority is needed to provide a unified platform for them. The Higher and Technical Education Dept has already proposed providing “pocket money” to 12 lakh girl students studying in various colleges across the state under the Earn while you learn scheme. The funds are to be provided through CSR.Fadnavis said the authority will focus on coordination, monitoring and proper utilisation of CSR funds. “A quality project bank of govt priority projects should be prepared and made available to companies and NGOs. Small and Medium Enterprises eligible for CSR funds should be guided to select suitable projects. The aim is to provide financial support to govt priority projects through CSR funds where necessary,” he said.Fadnavis further said special emphasis will e given to the maintenance and repair of projects set up through CSR. “Often after construction, funds are not available for maintenance and after a few years these projects become defunct,” he said.He also suggested studying the concept of “DIaspora Connect” to obtain funds for CSR activities from overseas Maharashtrians and those based outside the state.At another review meeting Fadnavis directed HoDs to ensure priority is given for full utilisation of central funds. He said there is a capacity to spend about Rs 16-17,000 this financial year, a major chunk of which is for capital expenditure.In 2025-26 the school education and sports dept led by allocating 96 per cent of central funds. Its fund utilisation was 99 per cent. Similarly the Home, Cooperation and Marketing and Textiles dept showed 99 per cent central fund utilisation. While MNREGA showed 100 per cent utilisation, the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission recorded 111 per cent fund utilisation.
