Mumbai, October 6 (Daily Kiran) : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated a new digital platform called ‘Participate Mumbai’ on Tuesday. This initiative aims to foster collaboration among the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), corporate entities, NGOs, experts, and citizens through corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts for the city’s development.
Fadnavis emphasized that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the organization “Samagra” will enhance BMC’s service delivery system, simplify administrative processes, and increase efficiency. These initiatives are designed to accelerate Mumbai’s growth by integrating public participation with a responsive administration.
He clarified that ‘Participate Mumbai’ is not merely a platform for raising CSR funds. Instead, it represents a collaborative approach focused on the question: “What can you and I do together for the last person in society?”
The portal will provide information about various projects that align with BMC’s partnership needs. Companies, NGOs, and citizens interested in areas such as education, healthcare, water, employment, environment, beautification, and poverty alleviation can select projects that resonate with them.
Organizations wishing to work in specific areas can also submit proposals through this platform. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that this initiative would bridge the gap between BMC and the social and corporate sectors, leading to expedited development efforts.
Fadnavis stressed the importance of measuring the impact of CSR spending in terms of public welfare rather than just financial outlay. Collaborating with CSR partners allows the government to leverage new technologies, modern management practices, robust monitoring systems, and flexible working methods. Traditional government approaches often have limitations, so merging government operations with CSR partnerships can yield more effective outcomes.
While BMC has made significant strides in infrastructure, urgent action is needed in education, health, and nutrition. Issues such as malnutrition, stunting, and wasting among children persist in certain areas of the city. Effective use of CSR partnerships is essential to ensure proper nutrition reaches children living in slums and disadvantaged neighborhoods.
Fadnavis pointed out that nutrition directly affects children’s cognitive development, academic performance, and immunity. Therefore, targeted interventions will benefit future generations in the long run.
An AI-based system has been implemented in BMC’s Building Proposal Department to streamline construction plan reviews. Fadnavis noted that the aim is to reduce or eliminate human intervention in this process, significantly enhancing the ease of doing business in Mumbai.
He concluded by stating that the administration must adapt to changing times, urging a shift from the mindset of “Who will teach us?” to a more proactive approach.
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