Mumbai, April 7: In a significant move towards achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047, the Maharashtra Cabinet has approved the establishment of a new independent department for Electronics, Information Technology, and Artificial Intelligence (AI). This decision was made on Tuesday.
The existing Directorate of Information Technology will be transformed into the Directorate of Electronics, IT, and AI. A new IT cadre will be created to accelerate IT, AI, and digital governance in the state. This cadre will include permanent positions for various ministerial departments, the commissioner’s office, and all districts.
This initiative comes as Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis recently highlighted in the state assembly that Maharashtra is at the forefront of AI startups. He emphasized that the state government is making special efforts to promote fintech and AI startups, aiming to transform Maharashtra into a trillion-dollar economy.
Fadnavis stated that technology will serve as the foundation for this economic growth, positioning the state as a leader in the startup and technology sectors.
Additionally, the state cabinet has approved the financial restructuring of the state’s power distribution company, Mahavitaran. This will involve issuing government bonds for state-guaranteed loans amounting to ₹32,679 crore.
Moreover, the cabinet has decided to demerge the agricultural distribution business and list Mahavitaran on the stock market. Approval has also been granted for the establishment of the Maharashtra Geo Technology Application Center, aimed at enhancing efficiency and speed in administration through the use of geospatial technology.
This center will focus on modern technology, research, geospatial innovation, and entrepreneurship, facilitating educational programs for students, professionals, and researchers.
The cabinet has also approved the reorganization of the Maharashtra Remote Sensing Application Center, which will now be established as a company. Its registration under the Societies Act of 1860 will be canceled, and it will be registered as a company under Section 8 of the Companies Act of 2013.
This decision is expected to expedite projects related to road information systems, urban planning, watershed development, hill area development, e-panchayat initiatives, Maha Agri Tech, mangrove studies, groundwater management, and mineral/mining studies.
Furthermore, the state cabinet has approved the implementation of the Maharashtra Resilience Development Program. This program aims to raise disaster management funds with the help of private capital, including a ₹165 crore fund from the World Bank. It will provide relief on home loans for disaster-affected citizens and offer loan concessions and insurance protection for MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises).
To reduce flood risks, preventive plans will be developed for the Krishna Basin, which includes the cities of Kolhapur, Sangli, and Ichalkaranji.
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