Mumbai, June 18 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the state administration to establish a ‘State CSR’ Cell to ensure the proper utilisation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds in the state, and through this mechanism, funds that can be mobilised for local self-government institutions should be effectively utilised.

This is necessary as Maharashtra is the state that receives the highest amount of CSR funding in the country, he added on Wednesday during a presentation meeting on the Sixth State Finance Commission.

Chief Minister Fadnavis said that on the lines of the Central government’s interest-free loan scheme, a similar interest-free loan scheme should be prepared for local self-government institutions.

The feasibility of providing such loans for development works should also be examined, he added.

He also directed that a specific mechanism be developed to enable local self-government institutions to grant building permissions for constructions adjacent to, but outside, their ‘gaothan’ limits.

“At the same time, safeguards should be put in place to prevent misuse of these powers by the concerned local bodies. A digital platform should be developed to facilitate and regulate this process. A system should also be established to control illegal constructions outside the ‘gaothan’ limits of gram panchayats in semi-urban areas.”

The Chief Minister also instructed that properties within the jurisdiction of local self-government institutions should be mapped through a cadastral mapping scheme.

The SVAMITVA Scheme should also be expanded to cover properties located outside the ‘gaothan’ limits, Chief Minister Fadnavis said.

During the meeting, an extensive discussion was held on the 42 recommendations of the Sixth State Finance Commission.

These recommendations have been classified into six broad categories, including institutional reforms, creation of own revenue sources, tax assessment and regulation, distribution of state funds, transfer of funds to local self-government institutions, and strengthening of the State Finance Commission.

Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary (Financial Reforms) Vikas Chandra Rastogi made the presentation during the meeting.

–IANS

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