Proposed authority, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, will monitor CSR projects, create a priority project bank and improve fund utilisation
MUMBAI (India CSR): The Maharashtra government has proposed a dedicated Maha CSR Authority, headed by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, to coordinate, monitor and improve the transparent use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds across the state, with government-priority projects, education initiatives and maintenance of existing CSR assets among its focus areas.
Fadnavis directed officials on August 21, 2026, to prepare a proposal for the authority during a review meeting at Sahyadri State Guest House in Mumbai. The move is intended to bring CSR initiatives currently being undertaken separately by different departments and organisations onto a more coordinated platform.
Unified CSR Platform
The proposed Maha CSR Authority will focus on coordination, monitoring and proper utilisation of CSR funds.
Fadnavis said CSR initiatives are currently being implemented independently at different levels, creating a need for a common institutional platform to connect government priorities with companies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.
Under the proposed structure, the Chief Minister will chair the authority, while its governing council is expected to include senior government officials and representatives from industry.
Priority Project Bank
A key component of the proposed framework will be the creation of a project bank containing quality projects aligned with Maharashtra government priorities.
These projects would be made available to companies and NGOs seeking suitable areas for CSR investment.
The authority is also expected to guide eligible small and medium enterprises in selecting appropriate CSR projects and implementation organisations. The broader objective is to channel corporate resources towards government-priority development initiatives where additional financial support is required.
Girls’ Education
The Higher and Technical Education Department has separately proposed using CSR funds to provide financial support or “pocket money” to around 12 lakh girl students studying in colleges across Maharashtra under an “Earn While You Learn” initiative.
The proposal illustrates how the state could use coordinated CSR funding for education and student-support programmes.
However, details such as the proposed amount per student, total funding requirement, participating companies and implementation timeline have not yet been disclosed.
Asset Maintenance
Fadnavis also emphasised that the new framework should address the maintenance and repair of infrastructure created through CSR funding.
He noted that some projects become non-functional after a few years because funding is available for construction but not for long-term maintenance. The proposed authority is therefore expected to consider the sustainability of CSR-funded assets beyond their initial creation.
This could bring lifecycle planning and maintenance costs into CSR project selection and monitoring.
Diaspora Connect
The Chief Minister also suggested examining a “Diaspora Connect” model to involve people from Maharashtra living overseas or elsewhere in India in social development initiatives.
The proposal would need to operate within applicable laws governing CSR expenditure, donations and overseas contributions, depending on the nature and source of funding.
CSR Governance
If formally established, the Maha CSR Authority could create a central mechanism for identifying projects, linking companies with development priorities and monitoring implementation.
Its eventual effectiveness will depend on the governance structure, transparency standards, project-selection process, public disclosure of funds and outcomes, and safeguards ensuring that corporate CSR obligations remain compliant with the Companies Act and applicable CSR Rules.
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